Death after Zonisamide in dogs

The FDA has received 46 reports of death in dogs after Zonisamide. That is 15% 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.

46Reports
89%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
6 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
3 12%
1–2 days
6 24%
3–7 days
4 16%
1–4 weeks
1 4.0%
Over a month
11 44%

How the animals did

Died
15 33%
Euthanised
31 67%

Problems reported at the same time

24 52%
13 28%
11 24%
Breathing problems
8 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
9
8–11 years
16
12+ years
13

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Zonisamide cause death in dogs?
46 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 6 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 Zonisamide in dogs · Medicines most reported with death