Liver problems after Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel (NexGard PLUS) in dogs

The FDA has received 172 reports of liver problems in dogs after Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel. That is 1.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

172Reports
52%Marked serious
17%Recovered
17%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
37 27%
1–2 days
36 26%
3–7 days
19 14%
1–4 weeks
27 20%
Over a month
19 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
29 17%
Still unwell when reported
44 26%
Died
15 8.7%
Euthanised
15 8.7%
Not known
69 40%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
20
1–3 years
45
4–7 years
37
8–11 years
42
12+ years
28

About this medicine

Afoxolaner kills fleas and ticks; given as a monthly chewable. Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs). Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms.

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

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel cause liver problems in dogs?
172 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems