Liver problems after Maropitant (Cerenia) in dogs

The FDA has received 2,056 reports of liver problems in dogs after Maropitant. That is 17% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

2,056Reports

70%Marked serious

8.8%Recovered

40%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

393 23%

1–2 days

302 18%

3–7 days

282 17%

1–4 weeks

373 22%

Over a month

333 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

175 8.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 0.2%

Still unwell when reported

807 39%

Died

324 16%

Euthanised

495 24%

Not known

250 12%

Problems reported at the same time

1,199 58%

1,184 58%

942 46%

809 39%

786 38%

579 28%

510 25%

417 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

132

1–3 years

334

4–7 years

564

8–11 years

633

12+ years

377

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 liver problems in dogs?: 2,056 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 4 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Capromorelin (Entyce) 207 reports · 14% of its reports
Liver problems after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) 86 reports · 30% of its reports

All reported side effects of Maropitant in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems