High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 299 reports of high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) in dogs after Prednisone. That is 3.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

299Reports

56%Marked serious

7.4%Recovered

4.3%Died or euthanised

41 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

7 3.4%

1–2 days

11 5.3%

3–7 days

13 6.3%

1–4 weeks

59 28%

Over a month

118 57%

How the animals did

Recovered

22 7.4%

Still unwell when reported

45 15%

Died

3 1.0%

Euthanised

10 3.3%

Not known

219 73%

Problems reported at the same time

107 36%

101 34%

76 25%

75 25%

64 21%

63 21%

54 18%

42 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

119

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Prednisone reduces inflammation and immune activity.

Steroids commonly cause increased thirst, urination and appetite, especially at higher doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Prednisone cause high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) in dogs?: 299 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 41 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).

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) with similar medicines

High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Dexamethasone 38 reports · 1.4% of its reports
High sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio) after Prednisolone 22 reports · 1.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with high sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)