Breathing problems after Nitenpyram (Capstar) in cats

The FDA has received 2,180 reports of breathing problems in cats after Nitenpyram. That is 25% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

2,180Reports

13%Marked serious

38%Recovered

2.9%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1,718 90%

1–2 days

54 2.8%

3–7 days

31 1.6%

1–4 weeks

63 3.3%

Over a month

53 2.8%

How the animals did

Recovered

832 38%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.0%

Still unwell when reported

433 20%

Died

50 2.3%

Euthanised

14 0.6%

Not known

850 39%

Problems reported at the same time

Restlessness or agitation

1,385 64%

Vocalising

576 26%

Itching

562 26%

Lethargy

152 7.0%

Excessive licking and/or grooming

150 6.9%

Dilated pupils

146 6.7%

Behaviour change

139 6.4%

Increased heart rate

104 4.8%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

310

1–3 years

850

4–7 years

525

8–11 years

236

12+ years

172

About this medicine

Nitenpyram kills adult fleas quickly; a single-dose tablet.

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

Questions owners ask

Can Nitenpyram cause breathing problems in cats?: 2,180 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).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

Breathing problems after Spinosad (Comfortis) 261 reports · 2.3% of its reports
Breathing problems after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 144 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Breathing problems after Lufenuron 44 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Breathing problems after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) 21 reports · 3.1% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fipronil 59 reports · 12% of its reports
Breathing problems after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 28 reports · 7.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Nitenpyram in cats · Medicines most reported with breathing problems