Weakness after Buprenorphine in dogs

The FDA has received 76 reports of weakness in dogs after Buprenorphine. That is 4.8% 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.

76Reports

84%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

50%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 24%

1–2 days

16 24%

3–7 days

7 10%

1–4 weeks

18 26%

Over a month

11 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 6.6%

Still unwell when reported

24 32%

Died

12 16%

Euthanised

26 34%

Not known

9 12%

Problems reported at the same time

40 53%

38 50%

36 47%

32 42%

31 41%

28 37%

24 32%

21 28%

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 weakness in dogs?: 76 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 96 reports · 1.8% of its reports

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