Loose stool after Diphenhydramine in dogs

73 reports to the FDA describe loose stool in dogs given Diphenhydramine. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.9% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

73Reports
59%Marked serious
27%Recovered
15%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
25 40%
1–2 days
8 13%
3–7 days
7 11%
1–4 weeks
6 9.7%
Over a month
16 26%

How the animals did

Recovered
16 22%
Recovered with lasting effects
4 5.5%
Still unwell when reported
29 40%
Died
5 6.8%
Euthanised
6 8.2%
Not known
13 18%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
10
1–3 years
21
4–7 years
20
8–11 years
12
12+ years
9

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Diphenhydramine cause loose stool in dogs?
73 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 2 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).

Loose stool with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with loose stool