Lethargy after Fipronil in cats

62 reports to the FDA describe lethargy in cats given Fipronil. That is 12% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines.

62Reports
37%Marked serious
48%Recovered
11%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
22 41%
1–2 days
5 9.3%
3–7 days
3 5.6%
1–4 weeks
14 26%
Over a month
10 19%

How the animals did

Recovered
28 45%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 3.2%
Still unwell when reported
12 19%
Died
4 6.5%
Euthanised
3 4.8%
Not known
13 21%

Problems reported at the same time

10 16%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
9 15%
6 9.7%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
11
1–3 years
15
4–7 years
15
8–11 years
6
12+ years
12

About this medicine

Fipronil kills fleas and ticks (spot-on).

Questions owners ask

Can Fipronil cause lethargy in cats?
62 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 3 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fipronil in cats · Medicines most reported with lethargy