Skin disorders after Diphenhydramine in dogs

The FDA has received 39 reports of skin disorders in dogs after Diphenhydramine. That is 0.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

39Reports

41%Marked serious

10%Recovered

5.1%Died or euthanised

8 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 17%

1–2 days

6 21%

3–7 days

3 10%

1–4 weeks

7 24%

Over a month

8 28%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.1%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 5.1%

Still unwell when reported

23 59%

Died

1 2.6%

Euthanised

1 2.6%

Not known

10 26%

Problems reported at the same time

15 38%

14 36%

10 26%

10 26%

Skin rash or irritation

9 23%

Lethargy

8 21%

Hair loss

8 21%

Vomiting

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 skin disorders in dogs?: 39 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 8 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).

Skin disorders with similar medicines

Skin disorders after Cefpodoxime 63 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Skin disorders after Cephalexin 54 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Skin disorders after Ketoconazole 34 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Diphenhydramine in dogs · Medicines most reported with skin disorders