Lymphopenia after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 150 reports of lymphopenia in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

150Reports

81%Marked serious

11%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

21 19%

1–2 days

11 9.7%

3–7 days

12 11%

1–4 weeks

26 23%

Over a month

43 38%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 8.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 2.7%

Still unwell when reported

56 37%

Died

13 8.7%

Euthanised

27 18%

Not known

38 25%

Problems reported at the same time

82 55%

78 52%

71 47%

59 39%

58 39%

52 35%

46 31%

41 27%

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 lymphopenia in dogs?: 150 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).

Lymphopenia with similar medicines

Lymphopenia after Dexamethasone 61 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Prednisolone + Trimeprazine 20 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Lymphopenia after Prednisolone 21 reports · 1.7% of its reports

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