Skin rash or irritation after Nitenpyram (Capstar) in cats

The FDA has received 52 reports of skin rash or irritation in cats after Nitenpyram. That is 0.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.0% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

52Reports
42%Marked serious
3.8%Recovered
9.6%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
15 43%
1–2 days
3 8.6%
3–7 days
3 8.6%
1–4 weeks
9 26%
Over a month
5 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
2 3.8%
Still unwell when reported
15 29%
Died
2 3.8%
Euthanised
3 5.8%
Not known
30 58%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching
18 35%
Hair loss
15 29%
Didn't stop fleas
13 25%
Lethargy
11 21%
Loss of appetite
10 19%
Behaviour change
8 15%
Fever
8 15%
Increased respiratory rate
7 13%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
6
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
10
8–11 years
9
12+ years
7

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 skin rash or irritation 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 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).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Nitenpyram in cats · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation