Weight loss after Spinosad (Comfortis) in cats

The FDA has received 166 reports of weight loss in cats after Spinosad. That is 1.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

166Reports
54%Marked serious
31%Recovered
23%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
53 40%
1–2 days
21 16%
3–7 days
12 9.0%
1–4 weeks
17 13%
Over a month
30 23%

How the animals did

Recovered
36 22%
Recovered with lasting effects
16 9.6%
Still unwell when reported
31 19%
Died
19 11%
Euthanised
20 12%
Not known
44 27%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
11
1–3 years
18
4–7 years
28
8–11 years
35
12+ years
66

About this medicine

Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

Products with this ingredient include Comfortis. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Spinosad cause weight loss in cats?
166 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 1 day 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Spinosad in cats · Medicines most reported with weight loss