Death after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) in cats

20 reports to the FDA describe death in cats given Fipronil + S-methoprene. That is 5.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

20Reports
100%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
5 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
2 10%
1–2 days
7 35%
3–7 days
3 15%
1–4 weeks
6 30%
Over a month
2 10%

How the animals did

Died
10 50%
Euthanised
10 50%

Problems reported at the same time

13 65%
Liver problems
5 25%
Kidney problems
5 25%
Dehydration
5 25%
Seizures
3 15%
Vocalising
3 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
5
4–7 years
5
8–11 years
4
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Fipronil kills fleas and ticks (spot-on).

Products with this combination include Frontline Plus. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Fipronil + S-methoprene cause death in cats?
20 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 5 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 Fipronil + S-methoprene in cats · Medicines most reported with death