Hyperglycaemia after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

149 reports to the FDA describe hyperglycaemia in cats given Selamectin. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.9% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

149Reports
30%Marked serious
13%Recovered
29%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
19 26%
1–2 days
28 38%
3–7 days
7 9.6%
1–4 weeks
7 9.6%
Over a month
12 16%

How the animals did

Recovered
17 11%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 1.3%
Still unwell when reported
33 22%
Died
33 22%
Euthanised
10 6.7%
Not known
54 36%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
29
1–3 years
25
4–7 years
29
8–11 years
43
12+ years
21

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 hyperglycaemia in cats?
149 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).

Hyperglycaemia with similar medicines

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