Intentional misuse after Sarolaner + Selamectin (Revolution Plus) in cats

The FDA has received 86 reports of intentional misuse in cats after Sarolaner + Selamectin. That is 1.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

86Reports
58%Marked serious
4.7%Recovered
10%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
22 31%
1–2 days
14 20%
3–7 days
6 8.5%
1–4 weeks
13 18%
Over a month
16 23%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 4.7%
Still unwell when reported
49 57%
Died
5 5.8%
Euthanised
4 4.7%
Not known
24 28%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
8
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
16
12+ years
12

About this medicine

Sarolaner kills fleas, ticks and some mites; monthly. Selamectin prevents heartworm and treats fleas, ear mites and some worms (spot-on).

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

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Sarolaner + Selamectin cause intentional misuse in cats?
86 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 2 days 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 Sarolaner + Selamectin in cats · Medicines most reported with intentional misuse