Shock after Melarsomine (Immiticide) in dogs

The FDA has received 183 reports of shock in dogs after Melarsomine. That is 0.8% 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.

183Reports
32%Marked serious
8.7%Recovered
21%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 25%
1–2 days
3 5.4%
3–7 days
13 23%
1–4 weeks
10 18%
Over a month
16 29%

How the animals did

Recovered
16 8.7%
Still unwell when reported
21 11%
Died
35 19%
Euthanised
3 1.6%
Not known
108 59%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
90
4–7 years
53
8–11 years
23
12+ years
8

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 shock in dogs?
183 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 7 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).

Shock with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Melarsomine in dogs · Medicines most reported with shock