Tremors after Activated Charcoal in dogs

The FDA has received 25 reports of tremors in dogs after Activated Charcoal. That is 23% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

25Reports
76%Marked serious
28%Recovered
20%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
15 65%
1–2 days
5 22%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
2 8.7%
Over a month
1 4.3%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 28%
Still unwell when reported
11 44%
Died
2 8.0%
Euthanised
3 12%
Not known
2 8.0%

Problems reported at the same time

10 40%
Seizures
9 36%
Loss of appetite
8 32%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
8 32%
Lethargy
7 28%
Behaviour change
7 28%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
9
4–7 years
7
8–11 years
4
12+ years
1

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Activated Charcoal cause tremors in dogs?
25 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 the same 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).

Tremors with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Activated Charcoal in dogs · Medicines most reported with tremors