Death after Nitenpyram (Capstar) in cats

The FDA has received 403 reports of death in cats after Nitenpyram. That is 4.6% 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.

403Reports
67%Marked serious
0.0%Recovered
100%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
95 40%
1–2 days
69 29%
3–7 days
21 8.9%
1–4 weeks
26 11%
Over a month
26 11%

How the animals did

Died
323 80%
Euthanised
79 20%
Not known
1 0.2%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
123
1–3 years
61
4–7 years
54
8–11 years
53
12+ years
68

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 death in cats?
403 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).

Death with similar medicines

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