Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 37 reports of elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 2.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

37Reports

86%Marked serious

14%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

9 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 26%

1–2 days

5 15%

3–7 days

3 8.8%

1–4 weeks

6 18%

Over a month

11 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 14%

Still unwell when reported

12 32%

Euthanised

12 32%

Not known

8 22%

Problems reported at the same time

36 97%

22 59%

21 57%

21 57%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

14 38%

Death

12 32%

Diarrhea

11 30%

Leucocytosis

10 27%

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 elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs?: 37 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 9 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).

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) with similar medicines

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 44 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Buprenorphine in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)