Liver problems after Melatonin in dogs

The FDA has received 40 reports of liver problems in dogs after Melatonin. That is 16% 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.

40Reports
60%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
25%Died or euthanised
31 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 12%
1–2 days
2 7.7%
3–7 days
1 3.8%
1–4 weeks
7 27%
Over a month
13 50%

How the animals did

Still unwell when reported
19 48%
Died
2 5.0%
Euthanised
8 20%
Not known
11 28%

Problems reported at the same time

15 38%
10 25%
10 25%
Abnormal ultrasound finding
8 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
3
4–7 years
5
8–11 years
11
12+ years
21

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Melatonin cause liver problems in dogs?
40 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 31 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

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