Increased heart rate after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

The FDA has received 26 reports of increased heart rate in dogs after Dexmedetomidine. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

26Reports

88%Marked serious

42%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

18 72%

1–2 days

3 12%

3–7 days

1 4.0%

1–4 weeks

1 4.0%

Over a month

2 8.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

11 42%

Still unwell when reported

5 19%

Died

2 7.7%

Euthanised

5 19%

Not known

3 12%

Problems reported at the same time

Breathing problems

9 35%

Lethargy

8 31%

Death

7 27%

Increased respiratory rate

7 27%

Didn't work as expected

6 23%

Cardiac arrest

6 23%

Loss of appetite

6 23%

Swelling

5 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Dexmedetomidine sedation and pain relief (also an oral gel for noise anxiety).

Products with this ingredient include Dexdomitor, Sileo. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Dexmedetomidine cause increased heart rate in dogs?: 26 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).

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased heart rate