Hyperphosphataemia after Dexamethasone in dogs

82 reports to the FDA describe hyperphosphataemia in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 3.0% 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.

82Reports

90%Marked serious

8.5%Recovered

60%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

22 30%

1–2 days

17 23%

3–7 days

11 15%

1–4 weeks

7 9.6%

Over a month

16 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 8.5%

Still unwell when reported

23 28%

Died

23 28%

Euthanised

26 32%

Not known

3 3.7%

Problems reported at the same time

63 77%

59 72%

49 60%

47 57%

45 55%

41 50%

33 40%

31 38%

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 hyperphosphataemia in dogs?: 82 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 2 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).

Hyperphosphataemia with similar medicines

Hyperphosphataemia after Prednisone 120 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Hyperphosphataemia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 22 reports · 1.1% of its reports

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