Weight loss after Prednisolone in cats

137 reports to the FDA describe weight loss in cats given Prednisolone. That is 11% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

137Reports

69%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

29%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 16%

1–2 days

14 15%

3–7 days

13 14%

1–4 weeks

18 19%

Over a month

33 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 5.8%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.7%

Still unwell when reported

54 39%

Died

11 8.0%

Euthanised

29 21%

Not known

34 25%

Problems reported at the same time

84 61%

52 38%

40 29%

36 26%

30 22%

29 21%

27 20%

24 18%

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 weight loss in cats?: 137 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 9 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Prednisone 113 reports · 13% of its reports
Weight loss after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 57 reports · 7.1% of its reports
Weight loss after Dexamethasone 76 reports · 9.9% of its reports

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