Lethargy after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 237 reports of lethargy in cats after Prednisolone. That is 19% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

237Reports

66%Marked serious

19%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

33 17%

1–2 days

38 19%

3–7 days

28 14%

1–4 weeks

57 29%

Over a month

43 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

45 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

83 35%

Died

32 14%

Euthanised

36 15%

Not known

40 17%

Problems reported at the same time

151 64%

68 29%

59 25%

52 22%

50 21%

40 17%

37 16%

36 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

105

About this medicine

Prednisolone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisolone cause lethargy in cats?: 237 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 8 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Prednisone 162 reports · 18% of its reports
Lethargy after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 201 reports · 25% of its reports
Lethargy after Dexamethasone 258 reports · 34% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisolone in cats · Medicines most reported with lethargy