Wobbliness (ataxia) after Pyrantel in cats

52 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in cats given Pyrantel. That is 9.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

52Reports

38%Marked serious

9.6%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

10 36%

1–2 days

11 39%

3–7 days

6 21%

1–4 weeks

1 3.6%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 9.6%

Still unwell when reported

8 15%

Died

7 13%

Euthanised

7 13%

Not known

25 48%

Problems reported at the same time

14 27%

13 25%

13 25%

9 17%

8 15%

Weakness

7 13%

Diarrhea

6 12%

Eye or vision problems

5 9.6%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in cats?: 52 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Emodepside + Praziquantel (Profender) 538 reports · 9.4% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Praziquantel 56 reports · 3.4% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Praziquantel + Pyrantel 453 reports · 36% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Fenbendazole 22 reports · 7.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Pyrantel in cats · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)