Hypothyroidism after Insulin in dogs

The FDA has received 37 reports of hypothyroidism in dogs after Insulin. That is 0.5% 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.

37Reports

86%Marked serious

54%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

–Typical onset

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

18 49%

Still unwell when reported

10 27%

Died

1 2.7%

Euthanised

3 8.1%

Not known

3 8.1%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

20 54%

14 38%

13 35%

9 24%

8 22%

Elevated cholesterol (total)

7 19%

Tremors

7 19%

Excessive thirst

5 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Insulin treats diabetes.

Questions owners ask

Can Insulin cause hypothyroidism in dogs?: 37 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.
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).

Hypothyroidism with similar medicines

Hypothyroidism after Trilostane (Vetoryl) 96 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Hypothyroidism after Levothyroxine 66 reports · 2.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Insulin in dogs · Medicines most reported with hypothyroidism