Increased respiratory rate after Melarsomine (Immiticide) in dogs

The FDA has received 81 reports of increased respiratory rate in dogs after Melarsomine. That is 0.4% 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.

81Reports
64%Marked serious
16%Recovered
15%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
32 43%
1–2 days
7 9.5%
3–7 days
3 4.1%
1–4 weeks
16 22%
Over a month
16 22%

How the animals did

Recovered
13 16%
Still unwell when reported
36 44%
Died
4 4.9%
Euthanised
8 9.9%
Not known
20 25%

Problems reported at the same time

Breathing problems
21 26%
Vomiting
21 26%
Lethargy
17 21%
Swelling
16 20%
Allergic reaction
16 20%
Loss of appetite
14 17%
Diarrhea
13 16%
Drooling
13 16%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
38
4–7 years
32
8–11 years
7
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Melarsomine treats adult heartworm infection (a series of injections given by a vet).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Melarsomine cause increased respiratory rate in dogs?
81 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 2 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).

Increased respiratory rate with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Melarsomine in dogs · Medicines most reported with increased respiratory rate