Weight loss after Buprenorphine in dogs

71 reports to the FDA describe weight loss in dogs given Buprenorphine. That is 4.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

71Reports

73%Marked serious

13%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 15%

1–2 days

18 30%

3–7 days

13 22%

1–4 weeks

7 12%

Over a month

13 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

21 30%

Died

2 2.8%

Euthanised

14 20%

Not known

25 35%

Problems reported at the same time

56 79%

38 54%

34 48%

30 42%

30 42%

21 30%

18 25%

18 25%

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 weight loss in dogs?: 71 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) 112 reports · 2.0% of its reports

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