Intentional misuse after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

80 reports to the FDA describe intentional misuse in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

80Reports

85%Marked serious

33%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

48 63%

1–2 days

11 14%

3–7 days

5 6.6%

1–4 weeks

6 7.9%

Over a month

6 7.9%

How the animals did

Recovered

26 33%

Still unwell when reported

34 43%

Died

13 16%

Euthanised

2 2.5%

Not known

5 6.3%

Problems reported at the same time

Underdose

20 25%

Didn't work as expected

18 23%

17 21%

15 19%

14 18%

14 18%

13 16%

11 14%

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 intentional misuse in dogs?: 80 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).

Intentional misuse with similar medicines

Intentional misuse after Buprenorphine 24 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with intentional misuse