Lethargy after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 362 reports of lethargy in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 23% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 11% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

362Reports

76%Marked serious

19%Recovered

33%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

92 29%

1–2 days

84 26%

3–7 days

46 14%

1–4 weeks

48 15%

Over a month

50 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

65 18%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

125 35%

Died

41 11%

Euthanised

80 22%

Not known

49 14%

Problems reported at the same time

215 59%

178 49%

130 36%

121 33%

121 33%

83 23%

80 22%

75 21%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

106

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Buprenorphine pain relief (an opioid).

Questions owners ask

Can Buprenorphine cause lethargy in dogs?: 362 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 506 reports · 9.3% of its reports

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