Pale mucous membrane after Diphenhydramine in dogs

The FDA has received 293 reports of pale mucous membrane in dogs after Diphenhydramine. That is 6.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

293Reports
91%Marked serious
28%Recovered
24%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
208 75%
1–2 days
13 4.7%
3–7 days
16 5.8%
1–4 weeks
16 5.8%
Over a month
25 9.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
82 28%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.3%
Still unwell when reported
120 41%
Died
36 12%
Euthanised
35 12%
Not known
19 6.5%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
39
1–3 years
124
4–7 years
59
8–11 years
54
12+ years
16

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Diphenhydramine cause pale mucous membrane in dogs?
293 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).

Pale mucous membrane with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with pale mucous membrane