Fever after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 130 reports of fever in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 8.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

130Reports

82%Marked serious

17%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

30 27%

1–2 days

34 30%

3–7 days

18 16%

1–4 weeks

15 13%

Over a month

16 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 15%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.5%

Still unwell when reported

39 30%

Died

18 14%

Euthanised

33 25%

Not known

18 14%

Problems reported at the same time

69 53%

65 50%

52 40%

50 38%

45 35%

39 30%

38 29%

Abnormal radiograph finding

28 22%

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 fever in dogs?: 130 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 2 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 203 reports · 3.7% of its reports

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