Wobbliness (ataxia) after Pergolide in horses

The FDA has received 49 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in horses after Pergolide. That is 4.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all horse medicines.

49Reports

53%Marked serious

35%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

6 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

5 14%

1–2 days

10 27%

3–7 days

5 14%

1–4 weeks

9 24%

Over a month

8 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

17 35%

Still unwell when reported

3 6.1%

Died

4 8.2%

Euthanised

6 12%

Not known

19 39%

Problems reported at the same time

15 31%

14 29%

10 20%

5 10%

5 10%

4 8.2%

Weakness

3 6.1%

Lateral recumbency

3 6.1%

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 wobbliness (ataxia) in horses?: 49 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Ceftiofur 37 reports · 3.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Detomidine 60 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Flunixin Meglumine 38 reports · 6.1% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Xylazine 23 reports · 4.9% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Butorphanol 24 reports · 8.0% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Ponazuril 32 reports · 18% of its reports

All reported side effects of Pergolide in horses · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)