High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Dexamethasone in dogs

38 reports to the FDA describe high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 1.4% 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.

38Reports

53%Marked serious

21%Recovered

5.3%Died or euthanised

26 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 11%

1–2 days

6 17%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

9 25%

Over a month

17 47%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 21%

Still unwell when reported

7 18%

Euthanised

2 5.3%

Not known

21 55%

Problems reported at the same time

17 45%

14 37%

14 37%

12 32%

10 26%

8 21%

7 18%

7 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) in dogs?: 38 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 26 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).

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) with similar medicines

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Prednisone 299 reports · 3.3% of its reports
High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Prednisolone 22 reports · 1.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexamethasone in dogs · Medicines most reported with high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)