Death after Methylprednisolone in horses

21 reports to the FDA describe death in horses given Methylprednisolone. That is 21% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 11% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

21Reports
76%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
13 81%
1–2 days
1 6.3%
3–7 days
1 6.3%
1–4 weeks
0 0.0%
Over a month
1 6.3%

How the animals did

Died
20 95%
Euthanised
1 4.8%

Problems reported at the same time

Collapse
14 67%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
9 43%
Allergic reaction
8 38%
Pale mucous membrane
7 33%
Breathing problems
5 24%
Respiratory distress
2 9.5%
Paddling
2 9.5%
2 9.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
0
4–7 years
6
8–11 years
5
12+ years
9

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Methylprednisolone cause death in horses?
21 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 the same day 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 Methylprednisolone in horses · Medicines most reported with death