Lethargy after Fluoxetine in dogs

The FDA has received 440 reports of lethargy in dogs after Fluoxetine. That is 17% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 11% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

440Reports

23%Marked serious

23%Recovered

5.0%Died or euthanised

17 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

43 24%

1–2 days

21 12%

3–7 days

7 3.9%

1–4 weeks

33 18%

Over a month

77 43%

How the animals did

Recovered

77 18%

Recovered with lasting effects

25 5.7%

Still unwell when reported

62 14%

Died

8 1.8%

Euthanised

14 3.2%

Not known

254 58%

Problems reported at the same time

194 44%

110 25%

51 12%

50 11%

50 11%

29 6.6%

28 6.4%

28 6.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

111

4–7 years

163

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Fluoxetine treats anxiety and behaviour problems.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluoxetine cause lethargy in dogs?: 440 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 17 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Gabapentin 1,587 reports · 18% of its reports
Lethargy after Selegiline (Anipryl) 333 reports · 8.1% of its reports
Lethargy after Trazodone 413 reports · 16% of its reports
Lethargy after Clomipramine (Clomicalm) 405 reports · 27% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluoxetine in dogs · Medicines most reported with lethargy