Didn't work as expected after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

984 reports to the FDA describe didn't work as expected in cats given Selamectin. That is 4.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.7% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

984Reports
5.8%Marked serious
2.2%Recovered
2.2%Died or euthanised
46 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
32 9.7%
1–2 days
18 5.4%
3–7 days
27 8.2%
1–4 weeks
65 20%
Over a month
189 57%

How the animals did

Recovered
22 2.2%
Still unwell when reported
262 27%
Died
15 1.5%
Euthanised
7 0.7%
Not known
678 69%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
264
1–3 years
212
4–7 years
135
8–11 years
108
12+ years
88

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 didn't work as expected in cats?
984 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 46 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).

Didn't work as expected with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Selamectin in cats · Medicines most reported with didn't work as expected