Decreased red blood cell count after Maropitant (Cerenia) in dogs

The FDA has received 125 reports of decreased red blood cell count in dogs after Maropitant. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

125Reports

93%Marked serious

4.8%Recovered

54%Died or euthanised

15 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 14%

1–2 days

16 14%

3–7 days

17 15%

1–4 weeks

27 24%

Over a month

36 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

5 4.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.8%

Still unwell when reported

27 22%

Died

21 17%

Euthanised

46 37%

Not known

25 20%

Problems reported at the same time

82 66%

79 63%

67 54%

64 51%

63 50%

58 46%

53 42%

48 38%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Maropitant prevents vomiting and motion sickness.

Products with this ingredient include Cerenia. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Maropitant cause decreased red blood cell count in dogs?: 125 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 15 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).

All reported side effects of Maropitant in dogs · Medicines most reported with decreased red blood cell count