Weight loss after Prednisone in cats

The FDA has received 113 reports of weight loss in cats after Prednisone. That is 13% 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.

113Reports

60%Marked serious

12%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 22%

1–2 days

10 13%

3–7 days

9 12%

1–4 weeks

21 27%

Over a month

20 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 8.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 3.5%

Still unwell when reported

46 41%

Died

6 5.3%

Euthanised

18 16%

Not known

30 27%

Problems reported at the same time

66 58%

44 39%

26 23%

23 20%

19 17%

17 15%

17 15%

16 14%

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 weight loss in cats?: 113 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 12 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 Prednisolone 137 reports · 11% 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 Prednisone in cats · Medicines most reported with weight loss