Decreased haemoglobin after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 21 reports of decreased haemoglobin in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 1.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

21Reports

90%Marked serious

29%Recovered

38%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 29%

1–2 days

4 19%

3–7 days

3 14%

1–4 weeks

2 9.5%

Over a month

6 29%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 29%

Still unwell when reported

4 19%

Euthanised

8 38%

Not known

3 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Loss of appetite

16 76%

Decreased red blood cell count

14 67%

Liver problems

13 62%

Decreased haematocrit

10 48%

9 43%

9 43%

8 38%

8 38%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Buprenorphine pain relief (an opioid).

Questions owners ask

Can Buprenorphine cause decreased haemoglobin in dogs?: 21 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 3 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).

Decreased haemoglobin with similar medicines

Decreased haemoglobin after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 30 reports · 0.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Buprenorphine in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased haemoglobin