Blood problems after Mirtazapine (Mirataz) in dogs

The FDA has received 45 reports of blood problems in dogs after Mirtazapine. That is 16% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.8% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

45Reports

91%Marked serious

4.4%Recovered

53%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 11%

1–2 days

4 11%

3–7 days

3 8.6%

1–4 weeks

13 37%

Over a month

11 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 4.4%

Still unwell when reported

19 42%

Died

5 11%

Euthanised

19 42%

Problems reported at the same time

32 71%

25 56%

24 53%

22 49%

21 47%

19 42%

18 40%

16 36%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Mirtazapine stimulates appetite (cats: ointment applied to the ear).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Mirtazapine cause blood problems in dogs?: 45 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 14 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).

Blood problems with similar medicines

Blood problems after Maropitant (Cerenia) 1,012 reports · 8.5% of its reports
Blood problems after Capromorelin (Entyce) 112 reports · 7.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Mirtazapine in dogs · Medicines most reported with blood problems