Accidental exposure after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) in cats

37 reports to the FDA describe accidental exposure in cats given Ivermectin + Pyrantel. That is 56% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

37Reports
5.4%Marked serious
11%Recovered
0.0%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
4 11%
Still unwell when reported
2 5.4%
Not known
31 84%

Problems reported at the same time

19 51%
Lethargy
9 24%
Wobbliness (ataxia)
7 19%
Diarrhea
4 11%
Tremors
2 5.4%
Loss of appetite
2 5.4%
Hiding
2 5.4%
Breathing problems
2 5.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
13
4–7 years
8
8–11 years
4
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Ivermectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly). Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

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

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Ivermectin + Pyrantel cause accidental exposure in cats?
37 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.
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).

Accidental exposure with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ivermectin + Pyrantel in cats · Medicines most reported with accidental exposure