Itching after Phenobarbital in dogs

The FDA has received 73 reports of itching in dogs after Phenobarbital. That is 4.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.3% across reports for all dog medicines.

73Reports
62%Marked serious
34%Recovered
9.6%Died or euthanised
91 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
11 26%
1–2 days
0 0.0%
3–7 days
1 2.4%
1–4 weeks
6 14%
Over a month
24 57%

How the animals did

Recovered
18 25%
Recovered with lasting effects
7 9.6%
Still unwell when reported
18 25%
Died
2 2.7%
Euthanised
5 6.8%
Not known
23 32%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
12
4–7 years
23
8–11 years
20
12+ years
13

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Phenobarbital cause itching in dogs?
73 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 91 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).

Itching with similar medicines

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