Hyponatremia after Dexamethasone in dogs

61 reports to the FDA describe hyponatremia in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 2.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

61Reports

82%Marked serious

3.3%Recovered

44%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 24%

1–2 days

14 28%

3–7 days

2 4.0%

1–4 weeks

5 10%

Over a month

17 34%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 3.3%

Still unwell when reported

20 33%

Died

13 21%

Euthanised

14 23%

Not known

12 20%

Problems reported at the same time

39 64%

39 64%

36 59%

34 56%

30 49%

29 48%

27 44%

22 36%

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 hyponatremia in dogs?: 61 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).

Hyponatremia with similar medicines

Hyponatremia after Prednisone 107 reports · 1.2% of its reports

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