Skin scab after Selamectin (Revolution) in cats

The FDA has received 445 reports of skin scab in cats after Selamectin. That is 2.0% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.3% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

445Reports
5.4%Marked serious
1.1%Recovered
1.8%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
29 30%
1–2 days
19 20%
3–7 days
20 21%
1–4 weeks
14 14%
Over a month
15 15%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 1.1%
Still unwell when reported
63 14%
Died
7 1.6%
Euthanised
1 0.2%
Not known
369 83%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
45
1–3 years
116
4–7 years
118
8–11 years
80
12+ years
47

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 scab in cats?
445 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 scab with similar medicines

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