Blepharospasm after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in cats

32 reports to the FDA describe blepharospasm in cats given Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

32Reports

75%Marked serious

63%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 68%

1–2 days

8 32%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

0 0.0%

Over a month

0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

20 63%

Not known

12 38%

Problems reported at the same time

11 34%

7 22%

6 19%

5 16%

Restlessness or agitation

5 16%

Itching

4 13%

Epiphora

3 9.4%

Vomiting

3 9.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar). Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

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

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid + Moxidectin cause blepharospasm in cats?: 32 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 the same day 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).

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid + Moxidectin in cats · Medicines most reported with blepharospasm