Decreased red blood cell count after Cyclosporine (Atopica) in dogs

The FDA has received 21 reports of decreased red blood cell count in dogs after Cyclosporine. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

21Reports
62%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
38%Died or euthanised
106 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
1 6.7%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
3 20%
1–4 weeks
3 20%
Over a month
8 53%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported
9 43%
Died
5 24%
Euthanised
3 14%
Not known
4 19%

Problems reported at the same time

Blood problems
14 67%
Decreased haemoglobin
12 57%
Leucocytosis
9 43%
Neutrophilia
9 43%
Loss of appetite
9 43%
Death
8 38%
Decreased packed cell volume (pcv)
8 38%
Lethargy
8 38%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
1
4–7 years
7
8–11 years
8
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Cyclosporine controls allergic skin disease and some immune conditions.

Products with this ingredient include Atopica. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Cyclosporine cause decreased red blood cell count in dogs?
21 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 106 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).

Decreased red blood cell count with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Cyclosporine in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count