Liver problems after Prednisolone in cats

The FDA has received 89 reports of liver problems in cats after Prednisolone. That is 7.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.8% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

89Reports

91%Marked serious

13%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 17%

1–2 days

9 13%

3–7 days

3 4.3%

1–4 weeks

22 32%

Over a month

23 33%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 12%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.1%

Still unwell when reported

38 43%

Died

10 11%

Euthanised

19 21%

Not known

10 11%

Problems reported at the same time

55 62%

36 40%

31 35%

31 35%

30 34%

29 33%

27 30%

24 27%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 liver problems in cats?: 89 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 15 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Prednisone 45 reports · 5.1% of its reports
Liver problems after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 115 reports · 14% of its reports
Liver problems after Dexamethasone 93 reports · 12% of its reports

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