Accidental exposure after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

The FDA has received 352 reports of accidental exposure in cats after Selamectin. That is 1.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

352Reports

4.3%Marked serious

6.0%Recovered

3.1%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

35 54%

1–2 days

11 17%

3–7 days

3 4.6%

1–4 weeks

7 11%

Over a month

9 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

21 6.0%

Still unwell when reported

34 9.7%

Died

11 3.1%

Not known

286 81%

Problems reported at the same time

124 35%

63 18%

59 17%

42 12%

33 9.4%

Application site reaction

31 8.8%

Tremors

18 5.1%

Fever

18 5.1%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

101

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Selamectin prevents heartworm and treats fleas, ear mites and some worms (spot-on).

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

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Selamectin cause accidental exposure in cats?: 352 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).

Accidental exposure with similar medicines

Accidental exposure after Eprinomectin + Esafoxolaner + Praziquantel (NexGard Combo) 153 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 53 reports · 5.5% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 36 reports · 8.9% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 96 reports · 32% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 37 reports · 56% of its reports

All reported side effects of Selamectin in cats · Medicines most reported with accidental exposure