Nystagmus after Dexamethasone in dogs

The FDA has received 35 reports of nystagmus in dogs after Dexamethasone. That is 1.3% 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.

35Reports

97%Marked serious

31%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 52%

1–2 days

4 16%

3–7 days

2 8.0%

1–4 weeks

2 8.0%

Over a month

4 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 29%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.9%

Still unwell when reported

5 14%

Died

3 8.6%

Euthanised

9 26%

Not known

7 20%

Problems reported at the same time

15 43%

12 34%

12 34%

9 26%

9 26%

9 26%

9 26%

8 23%

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 nystagmus in dogs?: 35 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 the same day 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).

Nystagmus with similar medicines

Nystagmus after Prednisone 68 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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