Death after Phenobarbital in dogs

182 reports to the FDA describe death in dogs given Phenobarbital. That is 12% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

182Reports
92%Marked serious
0.5%Recovered
98%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
29 25%
1–2 days
21 18%
3–7 days
11 9.4%
1–4 weeks
19 16%
Over a month
37 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 0.5%
Still unwell when reported
2 1.1%
Died
82 45%
Euthanised
97 53%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
5
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
41
8–11 years
52
12+ years
64

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Phenobarbital cause death in dogs?
182 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 6 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).

Death with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Phenobarbital in dogs · Medicines most reported with death