Kidney problems after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

336 reports to the FDA describe kidney problems in cats given Selamectin. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.5% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

336Reports
29%Marked serious
2.7%Recovered
38%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
34 28%
1–2 days
29 24%
3–7 days
19 16%
1–4 weeks
13 11%
Over a month
26 21%

How the animals did

Recovered
7 2.1%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.6%
Still unwell when reported
75 22%
Died
105 31%
Euthanised
24 7.1%
Not known
123 37%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
62
1–3 years
50
4–7 years
60
8–11 years
68
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 kidney problems in cats?
336 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).

Kidney problems with similar medicines

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