Polycythaemia after Cyclosporine (Atopica) in dogs

The FDA has received 32 reports of polycythaemia in dogs after Cyclosporine. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

32Reports

6.3%Marked serious

3.1%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

–Typical onset

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.1%

Died

4 13%

Not known

27 84%

Problems reported at the same time

16 50%

15 47%

14 44%

13 41%

10 31%

9 28%

8 25%

6 19%

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 polycythaemia in dogs?: 32 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.
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).

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