Malaise after Prednisone in dogs

The FDA has received 116 reports of malaise in dogs after Prednisone. That is 1.3% 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.

116Reports

75%Marked serious

9.5%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

30 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

9 13%

1–2 days

3 4.2%

3–7 days

1 1.4%

1–4 weeks

24 34%

Over a month

34 48%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 6.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

3 2.6%

Still unwell when reported

40 34%

Died

11 9.5%

Euthanised

12 10%

Not known

42 36%

Problems reported at the same time

48 41%

44 38%

37 32%

33 28%

30 26%

23 20%

23 20%

23 20%

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 malaise in dogs?: 116 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 30 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).

Malaise with similar medicines

Malaise after Dexamethasone 37 reports · 1.4% of its reports

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