Restlessness or agitation after Metronidazole in dogs

The FDA has received 99 reports of restlessness or agitation in dogs after Metronidazole. That is 3.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

99Reports
57%Marked serious
28%Recovered
17%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
21 27%
1–2 days
19 24%
3–7 days
10 13%
1–4 weeks
15 19%
Over a month
13 17%

How the animals did

Recovered
28 28%
Still unwell when reported
31 31%
Died
5 5.1%
Euthanised
12 12%
Not known
23 23%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
22
1–3 years
13
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
18
12+ years
26

About this medicine

Metronidazole treats some bacterial and parasitic gut infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Metronidazole cause restlessness or agitation in dogs?
99 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).

Restlessness or agitation with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Metronidazole in dogs · Medicines most reported with restlessness or agitation