Some of you may have recently seen news reports about the FDA’s announcement on the potential for neurologic side effects with some flea and tick preventatives. These are products in what is called the ‘isoxazoline class’, which includes Nexgard, Simparica, Credelio, and Bravecto. The FDA reports that some animals have shown neurologic side effects such as muscle tremors, ataxia (wobbliness) and in some cases, seizures. From the announcement:
“The FDA carefully reviewed studies and other data on Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard, and Simparica prior to approval, and these products continue to be safe and effective for the majority of animals. The agency is asking the manufacturers to make the changes to the product labeling in order to provide veterinarians and pet owners with the information they need to make treatment decisions for each pet on an individual basis. Veterinarians should use their specialized training to review their patients’ medical histories and determine, in consultation with pet owners, whether a product in the isoxazoline class is appropriate for the pet.”
Your Frontier veterinarians want you to understand that the safety of these medications has not changed – the change is only that the FDA is requesting manufacturers change the label on these products to make information on potential neurologic side effects more prominent. These side effects are very rare, and in consulting with our local neurologists, they agree that these products are safe for the vast majority of pets.
If you are concerned about your pet’s potential for side effects, please contact us. Your Frontier veterinarian can discuss your pet’s individual medical history and the different options available for flea and tick prevention. And, of course, if you see any of the above neurologic symptoms after administration of any of the named products, please notify us immediately.
Your Frontier veterinarians will continue to monitor the FDA’s announcements and alert you to any new information because our priority is providing our patients with the safest, most advanced and compassionate care.
Read the full announcements from the FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm620934.htm
https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm620940.htm
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