Wobbliness (ataxia) after Pyrantel in dogs

The FDA has received 163 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs after Pyrantel. That is 3.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines.

163Reports

38%Marked serious

26%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

26 30%

1–2 days

21 24%

3–7 days

16 18%

1–4 weeks

13 15%

Over a month

12 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

40 25%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.2%

Still unwell when reported

32 20%

Died

15 9.2%

Euthanised

8 4.9%

Not known

66 40%

Problems reported at the same time

53 33%

39 24%

37 23%

33 20%

27 17%

22 13%

20 12%

20 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

Questions owners ask

Can Pyrantel cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 163 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 2 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Pyrantel + Sarolaner (Simparica Trio) 1,115 reports · 2.1% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Febantel + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Drontal Plus) 95 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Fenbendazole 161 reports · 2.7% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Praziquantel + Pyrantel 112 reports · 3.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Praziquantel 35 reports · 3.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)