Behaviour change after Cetirizine in dogs

41 reports to the FDA describe behaviour change in dogs given Cetirizine. That is 6.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

41Reports
34%Marked serious
27%Recovered
9.8%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 35%
1–2 days
2 6.5%
3–7 days
3 9.7%
1–4 weeks
5 16%
Over a month
10 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
10 24%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 2.4%
Still unwell when reported
13 32%
Euthanised
4 9.8%
Not known
13 32%

Problems reported at the same time

11 27%
9 22%
9 22%
Disorientation
6 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
8
4–7 years
15
8–11 years
12
12+ years
6

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Cetirizine cause behaviour change in dogs?
41 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 6 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Cetirizine in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change