Dilated pupils after Nitenpyram (Capstar) in cats

The FDA has received 242 reports of dilated pupils in cats after Nitenpyram. That is 2.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

242Reports
24%Marked serious
49%Recovered
2.1%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
186 81%
1–2 days
22 9.6%
3–7 days
4 1.7%
1–4 weeks
5 2.2%
Over a month
12 5.2%

How the animals did

Recovered
117 48%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.4%
Still unwell when reported
36 15%
Died
3 1.2%
Euthanised
2 0.8%
Not known
83 34%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
30
1–3 years
75
4–7 years
57
8–11 years
34
12+ years
42

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 dilated pupils in cats?
242 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).

Dilated pupils with similar medicines

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