Hair loss after Buprenorphine in dogs

24 reports to the FDA describe hair loss in dogs given Buprenorphine. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all dog medicines.

24Reports

63%Marked serious

13%Recovered

4.2%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 14%

1–2 days

2 9.5%

3–7 days

2 9.5%

1–4 weeks

10 48%

Over a month

4 19%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 8.3%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 4.2%

Still unwell when reported

8 33%

Euthanised

1 4.2%

Not known

12 50%

Problems reported at the same time

Skin rash or irritation

10 42%

Injection site reaction

9 38%

Skin redness

8 33%

Itching

6 25%

Skin scab

6 25%

Lethargy

5 21%

Didn't work as expected

5 21%

Application site reaction

4 17%

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 hair loss in dogs?: 24 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 12 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).

Hair loss with similar medicines

Hair loss after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 45 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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