Liver problems after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

The FDA has received 291 reports of liver problems in dogs after Dexmedetomidine. That is 5.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

291Reports

64%Marked serious

12%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

58 25%

1–2 days

52 23%

3–7 days

35 15%

1–4 weeks

48 21%

Over a month

36 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

36 12%

Still unwell when reported

97 33%

Died

36 12%

Euthanised

54 19%

Not known

68 23%

Problems reported at the same time

169 58%

146 50%

143 49%

103 35%

87 30%

71 24%

63 22%

56 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

103

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 liver problems in dogs?: 291 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Buprenorphine 270 reports · 17% of its reports

All reported side effects of Dexmedetomidine in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems