Allergic reaction after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 689 reports of allergic reaction in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 25% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

689Reports
80%Marked serious
29%Recovered
16%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
507 79%
1–2 days
34 5.3%
3–7 days
24 3.7%
1–4 weeks
34 5.3%
Over a month
46 7.1%

How the animals did

Recovered
200 29%
Still unwell when reported
336 49%
Died
74 11%
Euthanised
33 4.8%
Not known
46 6.7%

Problems reported at the same time

432 63%
271 39%
205 30%
175 25%
150 22%
107 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
75
1–3 years
324
4–7 years
161
8–11 years
91
12+ years
32

About this medicine

Dexamethasone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexamethasone cause allergic reaction in dogs?
689 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 the same day 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).

Allergic reaction with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with allergic reaction