Itching after Ivermectin (Heartgard) in cats

48 reports to the FDA describe itching in cats given Ivermectin. That is 5.0% 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.

48Reports
29%Marked serious
15%Recovered
19%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
3 21%
1–2 days
7 50%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
1 7.1%
Over a month
3 21%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 15%
Still unwell when reported
2 4.2%
Died
8 17%
Euthanised
1 2.1%
Not known
30 63%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

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

About this medicine

Ivermectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly).

Products with this ingredient include Heartgard. 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 cause itching in cats?
48 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 1 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).

Itching with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Ivermectin in cats · Medicines most reported with itching