Hyperglycaemia after Prednisone in cats

29 reports to the FDA describe hyperglycaemia in cats given Prednisone. That is 3.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

29Reports

62%Marked serious

21%Recovered

24%Died or euthanised

30 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 13%

1–2 days

3 13%

3–7 days

3 13%

1–4 weeks

3 13%

Over a month

11 48%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 6.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 14%

Still unwell when reported

14 48%

Died

1 3.4%

Euthanised

6 21%

Not known

2 6.9%

Problems reported at the same time

17 59%

11 38%

11 38%

11 38%

8 28%

7 24%

6 21%

6 21%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

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

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause hyperglycaemia in cats?: 29 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 30 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).

Hyperglycaemia with similar medicines

Hyperglycaemia after Prednisolone 69 reports · 5.6% of its reports
Hyperglycaemia after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 40 reports · 5.0% of its reports
Hyperglycaemia after Dexamethasone 71 reports · 9.3% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in cats · Medicines most reported with hyperglycaemia