Increased respiratory rate after Nitenpyram (Capstar) in cats

The FDA has received 52 reports of increased respiratory rate in cats after Nitenpyram. That is 0.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

52Reports

42%Marked serious

35%Recovered

5.8%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

37 80%

1–2 days

1 2.2%

3–7 days

2 4.3%

1–4 weeks

4 8.7%

Over a month

2 4.3%

How the animals did

Recovered

18 35%

Still unwell when reported

13 25%

Died

1 1.9%

Euthanised

2 3.8%

Not known

18 35%

Problems reported at the same time

Restlessness or agitation

23 44%

23 44%

19 37%

13 25%

12 23%

10 19%

10 19%

8 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 increased respiratory rate in cats?: 52 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).

All reported side effects of Nitenpyram in cats · Medicines most reported with increased respiratory rate