Weakness after Dexmedetomidine (Dexdomitor) in dogs

96 reports to the FDA describe weakness in dogs given Dexmedetomidine. That is 1.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

96Reports

67%Marked serious

20%Recovered

25%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

39 48%

1–2 days

17 21%

3–7 days

7 8.5%

1–4 weeks

9 11%

Over a month

10 12%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 1.0%

Still unwell when reported

34 35%

Died

13 14%

Euthanised

11 11%

Not known

19 20%

Problems reported at the same time

40 42%

38 40%

33 34%

27 28%

25 26%

22 23%

19 20%

17 18%

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 weakness in dogs?: 96 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 1 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).

Weakness with similar medicines

Weakness after Buprenorphine 76 reports · 4.8% of its reports

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