Itching after Prednisone in cats

The FDA has received 85 reports of itching in cats after Prednisone. That is 9.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines.

85Reports

62%Marked serious

18%Recovered

4.7%Died or euthanised

19 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 10%

1–2 days

11 16%

3–7 days

10 14%

1–4 weeks

14 20%

Over a month

28 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 16%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

45 53%

Euthanised

4 4.7%

Not known

21 25%

Problems reported at the same time

Hair loss

27 32%

Skin rash or irritation

20 24%

Skin scab

15 18%

Lethargy

13 15%

Application site reaction

13 15%

Didn't work as expected

12 14%

Skin redness

8 9.4%

Behaviour change

8 9.4%

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 itching in cats?: 85 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 19 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).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Prednisolone 134 reports · 11% of its reports
Itching after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 69 reports · 8.6% of its reports
Itching after Dexamethasone 84 reports · 11% of its reports

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