Lameness after Cyclosporine (Atopica) in dogs

The FDA has received 151 reports of lameness in dogs after Cyclosporine. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

151Reports

38%Marked serious

13%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

28 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 6.1%

1–2 days

2 4.1%

3–7 days

7 14%

1–4 weeks

14 29%

Over a month

23 47%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 12%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.7%

Still unwell when reported

36 24%

Died

10 6.6%

Euthanised

7 4.6%

Not known

79 52%

Problems reported at the same time

39 26%

33 22%

28 19%

20 13%

20 13%

19 13%

17 11%

Skin rash or irritation

17 11%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 lameness in dogs?: 151 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 28 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Oclacitinib (Apoquel) 316 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Lameness after Ilunocitinib (Zenrelia) 37 reports · 1.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Cyclosporine in dogs · Medicines most reported with lameness