Weight gain after Dexamethasone in dogs

35 reports to the FDA describe weight gain in dogs given Dexamethasone. That is 1.3% 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.

35Reports

57%Marked serious

5.7%Recovered

5.7%Died or euthanised

22 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 14%

1–2 days

5 17%

3–7 days

4 14%

1–4 weeks

5 17%

Over a month

11 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.7%

Still unwell when reported

10 29%

Died

1 2.9%

Euthanised

1 2.9%

Not known

21 60%

Problems reported at the same time

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

12 34%

10 29%

9 26%

8 23%

8 23%

8 23%

7 20%

7 20%

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 weight gain 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 22 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).

Weight gain with similar medicines

Weight gain after Prednisone 248 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Weight gain after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 33 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Weight gain after Prednisolone 24 reports · 2.0% of its reports

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