Lethargy after Prednisone in cats

The FDA has received 162 reports of lethargy in cats after Prednisone. That is 18% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

162Reports

64%Marked serious

28%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

36 27%

1–2 days

24 18%

3–7 days

20 15%

1–4 weeks

26 19%

Over a month

29 21%

How the animals did

Recovered

39 24%

Recovered with lasting effects

6 3.7%

Still unwell when reported

51 31%

Died

12 7.4%

Euthanised

29 18%

Not known

25 15%

Problems reported at the same time

92 57%

44 27%

38 23%

37 23%

28 17%

23 14%

20 12%

19 12%

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 lethargy in cats?: 162 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 4 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Prednisolone 237 reports · 19% of its reports
Lethargy after Dexamethasone + Neomycin + Thiabendazole 201 reports · 25% of its reports
Lethargy after Dexamethasone 258 reports · 34% of its reports

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