Liver problems after Acetylcysteine in dogs

The FDA has received 48 reports of liver problems in dogs after Acetylcysteine. That is 79% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

48Reports
94%Marked serious
2.1%Recovered
63%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 30%
1–2 days
6 14%
3–7 days
4 9.3%
1–4 weeks
12 28%
Over a month
8 19%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 2.1%
Still unwell when reported
13 27%
Died
12 25%
Euthanised
18 38%
Not known
4 8.3%

Problems reported at the same time

30 63%
30 63%
27 56%
Leucocytosis
15 31%
Prolonged one stage prothrombin time (ospt)
14 29%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
8
4–7 years
17
8–11 years
14
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Acetylcysteine cause liver problems in dogs?
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 7 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Acetylcysteine in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems