Lymphopenia after Dexamethasone in dogs

61 reports to the FDA describe lymphopenia in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 2.2% 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.

61Reports

92%Marked serious

6.6%Recovered

39%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

14 27%

1–2 days

12 23%

3–7 days

6 12%

1–4 weeks

6 12%

Over a month

14 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 6.6%

Still unwell when reported

28 46%

Died

10 16%

Euthanised

14 23%

Not known

5 8.2%

Problems reported at the same time

46 75%

42 69%

35 57%

34 56%

26 43%

24 39%

24 39%

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 lymphopenia 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 3 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).

Lymphopenia with similar medicines

Lymphopenia after Prednisone 150 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 20 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Prednisolone 21 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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