Hypotension after Hetastarch in dogs

The FDA has received 21 reports of hypotension in dogs after Hetastarch. That is 31% 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.

21Reports
90%Marked serious
9.5%Recovered
67%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
10 50%
1–2 days
5 25%
3–7 days
2 10%
1–4 weeks
0 0.0%
Over a month
3 15%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 9.5%
Still unwell when reported
5 24%
Died
7 33%
Euthanised
7 33%

Problems reported at the same time

14 67%
14 67%
Allergic reaction
8 38%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
8
4–7 years
6
8–11 years
4
12+ years
3

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Hetastarch cause hypotension in dogs?
21 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 1 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).

Hypotension with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Hetastarch in dogs · Medicines most reported with hypotension