Kidney problems after Prednisone in cats

The FDA has received 48 reports of kidney problems in cats after Prednisone. That is 5.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines.

48Reports

73%Marked serious

4.2%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

13 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 14%

1–2 days

5 14%

3–7 days

5 14%

1–4 weeks

9 24%

Over a month

13 35%

How the animals did

Recovered with lasting effects

2 4.2%

Still unwell when reported

23 48%

Died

6 13%

Euthanised

12 25%

Not known

5 10%

Problems reported at the same time

28 58%

19 40%

17 35%

17 35%

17 35%

13 27%

11 23%

10 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 kidney problems in cats?: 48 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 13 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Prednisolone 84 reports · 6.8% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 34 reports · 4.2% of its reports
Kidney problems after Dexamethasone 89 reports · 12% of its reports

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