Kidney problems after Levothyroxine in dogs

167 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in dogs given Levothyroxine. That is 5.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

167Reports

73%Marked serious

9.6%Recovered

31%Died or euthanised

85 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

8 8.0%

1–2 days

2 2.0%

3–7 days

7 7.0%

1–4 weeks

19 19%

Over a month

64 64%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 4.8%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 4.8%

Still unwell when reported

59 35%

Died

15 9.0%

Euthanised

36 22%

Not known

41 25%

Problems reported at the same time

82 49%

74 44%

54 32%

49 29%

47 28%

43 26%

33 20%

33 20%

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 kidney problems in dogs?: 167 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 85 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

Kidney problems after Trilostane (Vetoryl) 1,689 reports · 14% of its reports
Kidney problems after Insulin 232 reports · 3.2% of its reports
Kidney problems after Phenylpropanolamine (Proin) 227 reports · 5.5% of its reports

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