Cough after Levothyroxine in dogs

42 reports to the FDA describe cough in dogs given Levothyroxine. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

42Reports

62%Marked serious

14%Recovered

19%Died or euthanised

24 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 18%

1–2 days

3 11%

3–7 days

2 7.1%

1–4 weeks

7 25%

Over a month

11 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 12%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.4%

Still unwell when reported

17 40%

Died

3 7.1%

Euthanised

5 12%

Not known

11 26%

Problems reported at the same time

Breathing problems

14 33%

Abnormal radiograph finding

13 31%

11 26%

10 24%

10 24%

9 21%

Cardiac enlargement

8 19%

Death

8 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Levothyroxine treats an underactive thyroid.

Questions owners ask

Can Levothyroxine cause cough in dogs?: 42 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 24 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).

Cough with similar medicines

Cough after Trilostane (Vetoryl) 163 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Cough after Insulin 58 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Cough after Phenylpropanolamine (Proin) 35 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Levothyroxine in dogs · Medicines most reported with cough