Falling after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

418 reports to the FDA describe falling in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

418Reports
48%Marked serious
40%Recovered
10%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
96 27%
1–2 days
92 26%
3–7 days
39 11%
1–4 weeks
63 18%
Over a month
66 19%

How the animals did

Recovered
164 39%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.5%
Still unwell when reported
30 7.2%
Died
21 5.0%
Euthanised
21 5.0%
Not known
180 43%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
60
1–3 years
90
4–7 years
94
8–11 years
84
12+ years
82

About this medicine

Afoxolaner kills fleas and ticks; given as a monthly chewable.

Products with this ingredient include NexGard. 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 cause falling in dogs?
418 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).

Falling with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with falling