Restlessness or agitation after Imidacloprid in cats

28 reports to the FDA describe restlessness or agitation in cats given Imidacloprid. That is 11% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

28Reports

29%Marked serious

32%Recovered

3.6%Died or euthanised

20 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 16%

1–2 days

1 4.0%

3–7 days

2 8.0%

1–4 weeks

10 40%

Over a month

8 32%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 32%

Still unwell when reported

6 21%

Died

1 3.6%

Not known

12 43%

Problems reported at the same time

Vocalising

13 46%

Breathing problems

12 43%

Itching

9 32%

Behaviour change

5 18%

Didn't stop fleas

4 14%

Drooling

3 11%

Lethargy

2 7.1%

Loss of appetite

2 7.1%

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).

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid cause restlessness or agitation in cats?: 28 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 20 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).

Restlessness or agitation with similar medicines

Restlessness or agitation after Spinosad (Comfortis) 229 reports · 2.0% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 2,987 reports · 34% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 682 reports · 8.4% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Lufenuron 20 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) 27 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Imidacloprid + Pyriproxyfen 46 reports · 7.0% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Fipronil 59 reports · 12% of its reports
Restlessness or agitation after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 33 reports · 9.0% of its reports

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid in cats · Medicines most reported with restlessness or agitation