Death after Levetiracetam in dogs

The FDA has received 103 reports of death in dogs after Levetiracetam. That is 15% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

103Reports
98%Marked serious
1.0%Recovered
99%Died or euthanised
8 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
15 19%
1–2 days
17 22%
3–7 days
7 8.9%
1–4 weeks
12 15%
Over a month
28 35%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 1.0%
Died
34 33%
Euthanised
68 66%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
5
1–3 years
15
4–7 years
21
8–11 years
30
12+ years
31

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Levetiracetam cause death in dogs?
103 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).

Death with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Levetiracetam in dogs · Medicines most reported with death