Fever after Pyrantel in cats

The FDA has received 57 reports of fever in cats after Pyrantel. That is 10% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.2% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

57Reports

37%Marked serious

30%Recovered

12%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 24%

1–2 days

11 30%

3–7 days

9 24%

1–4 weeks

5 14%

Over a month

3 8.1%

How the animals did

Recovered

17 30%

Still unwell when reported

13 23%

Died

6 11%

Euthanised

1 1.8%

Not known

20 35%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

34 60%

Loss of appetite

27 47%

Lameness

9 16%

Vomiting

8 14%

Death

7 12%

Blood problems

6 11%

Tremors

6 11%

Swelling

5 8.8%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

Questions owners ask

Can Pyrantel cause fever in cats?: 57 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 1 day 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Emodepside + Praziquantel (Profender) 161 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Fever after Praziquantel 26 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Fever after Praziquantel + Pyrantel 43 reports · 3.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Pyrantel in cats · Medicines most reported with fever