Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Diphenhydramine in dogs

40 reports to the FDA describe eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') in dogs given Diphenhydramine. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

40Reports

75%Marked serious

25%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

15 54%

1–2 days

4 14%

3–7 days

1 3.6%

1–4 weeks

4 14%

Over a month

4 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 23%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

15 38%

Euthanised

7 18%

Not known

8 20%

Problems reported at the same time

16 40%

15 38%

14 35%

12 30%

9 23%

8 20%

8 20%

7 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Diphenhydramine cause eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') in dogs?: 40 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).

Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') with similar medicines

Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Melarsomine (Immiticide) 26 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 20 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Cefpodoxime 20 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Tramadol 34 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Florfenicol + Mometasone + Terbinafine 158 reports · 4.5% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Famotidine 20 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Betamethasone + Florfenicol + Terbinafine 24 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Ketoconazole 33 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Acepromazine 21 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological') after Atropine 27 reports · 3.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with eye disorder (for photophobia see 'neurological')