Death after Theophylline in dogs

The FDA has received 35 reports of death in dogs after Theophylline. That is 20% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 5.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

35Reports
94%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
24 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
9 33%
1–2 days
3 11%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
2 7.4%
Over a month
13 48%

How the animals did

Died
14 40%
Euthanised
21 60%

Problems reported at the same time

13 37%
10 29%
Abnormal radiograph finding
10 29%
Liver problems
9 26%
Collapse
8 23%
Weakness
7 20%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
1
4–7 years
4
8–11 years
10
12+ years
20

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Theophylline cause death in dogs?
35 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 24 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).

Death with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Theophylline in dogs · Medicines most reported with death