Intentional misuse after Prednisone in dogs

65 reports to the FDA describe intentional misuse in dogs given Prednisone. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

65Reports

80%Marked serious

4.6%Recovered

12%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 29%

1–2 days

3 5.5%

3–7 days

3 5.5%

1–4 weeks

7 13%

Over a month

26 47%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 4.6%

Still unwell when reported

45 69%

Died

2 3.1%

Euthanised

6 9.2%

Not known

9 14%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

22 34%

17 26%

12 18%

10 15%

10 15%

Didn't prevent heartworm

10 15%

Blood problems

9 14%

Vomiting

9 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

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 intentional misuse in dogs?: 65 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 16 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).

Intentional misuse with similar medicines

Intentional misuse after Dexamethasone 22 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Prednisone in dogs · Medicines most reported with intentional misuse