Skin rash or irritation after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

The FDA has received 643 reports of skin rash or irritation in cats after Selamectin. That is 2.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.0% across reports for all cat medicines.

643Reports
5.1%Marked serious
5.4%Recovered
3.3%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
52 24%
1–2 days
55 25%
3–7 days
57 26%
1–4 weeks
31 14%
Over a month
26 12%

How the animals did

Recovered
34 5.3%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.2%
Still unwell when reported
147 23%
Died
19 3.0%
Euthanised
2 0.3%
Not known
440 68%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
87
1–3 years
200
4–7 years
149
8–11 years
96
12+ years
62

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 skin rash or irritation in cats?
643 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 3 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).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Selamectin in cats · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation