Leucopenia after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 62 reports of leucopenia in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 2.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

62Reports

84%Marked serious

9.7%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 31%

1–2 days

8 15%

3–7 days

4 7.4%

1–4 weeks

8 15%

Over a month

17 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 9.7%

Still unwell when reported

27 44%

Died

13 21%

Euthanised

11 18%

Not known

5 8.1%

Problems reported at the same time

36 58%

31 50%

29 47%

29 47%

29 47%

27 44%

24 39%

23 37%

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 leucopenia in dogs?: 62 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 4 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).

Leucopenia with similar medicines

Leucopenia after Prednisone 123 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Leucopenia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 23 reports · 1.1% of its reports

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