Liver problems after Ursodeoxycholic Acid in dogs

The FDA has received 29 reports of liver problems in dogs after Ursodeoxycholic Acid. That is 39% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

29Reports
76%Marked serious
6.9%Recovered
41%Died or euthanised
25 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
5 24%
1–2 days
1 4.8%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
5 24%
Over a month
10 48%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 6.9%
Still unwell when reported
8 28%
Died
3 10%
Euthanised
9 31%
Not known
7 24%

Problems reported at the same time

13 45%
Kidney problems
13 45%
12 41%
Diarrhea
12 41%
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)
11 38%
Lethargy
9 31%
Loss of appetite
9 31%
Breathing problems
7 24%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
0
4–7 years
3
8–11 years
13
12+ years
13

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Ursodeoxycholic Acid cause liver problems in dogs?
29 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 25 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems