Hair loss after Pergolide in horses

The FDA has received 31 reports of hair loss in horses after Pergolide. That is 2.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

31Reports

39%Marked serious

9.7%Recovered

3.2%Died or euthanised

42 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 19%

1–2 days

1 4.8%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

3 14%

Over a month

13 62%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 3.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 6.5%

Still unwell when reported

1 3.2%

Euthanised

1 3.2%

Not known

26 84%

Problems reported at the same time

Lethargy

3 9.7%

Loss of appetite

3 9.7%

Itching

3 9.7%

Hair shedding

2 6.5%

Diarrhea

2 6.5%

Colic

2 6.5%

Weight loss

2 6.5%

Dry skin

2 6.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Pergolide cause hair loss in horses?: 31 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 42 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).

Hair loss with similar medicines

Hair loss after Ceftiofur 53 reports · 4.4% of its reports
Hair loss after Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan 21 reports · 4.1% of its reports
Hair loss after Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium 20 reports · 9.9% of its reports

All reported side effects of Pergolide in horses · Medicines most reported with hair loss