Ear infection after Maropitant (Cerenia) in dogs

The FDA has received 64 reports of ear infection in dogs after Maropitant. 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.

64Reports

78%Marked serious

9.4%Recovered

7.8%Died or euthanised

21 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

12 23%

1–2 days

3 5.8%

3–7 days

6 12%

1–4 weeks

11 21%

Over a month

20 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

6 9.4%

Still unwell when reported

37 58%

Euthanised

5 7.8%

Not known

16 25%

Problems reported at the same time

38 59%

36 56%

25 39%

22 34%

17 27%

14 22%

14 22%

Head tilt - ear disorder

12 19%

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 ear infection in dogs?: 64 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 21 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 ear infection