Head tilt - neurological disorder after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

The FDA has received 114 reports of head tilt - neurological disorder in dogs after Afoxolaner. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

114Reports
39%Marked serious
28%Recovered
11%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
SponsoredWorried about your pet? Ask a veterinarian online, 24/7

How soon it started

Same day
27 27%
1–2 days
32 32%
3–7 days
12 12%
1–4 weeks
13 13%
Over a month
15 15%

How the animals did

Recovered
31 27%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.9%
Still unwell when reported
13 11%
Died
7 6.1%
Euthanised
5 4.4%
Not known
57 50%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
16
1–3 years
16
4–7 years
30
8–11 years
20
12+ years
32

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 head tilt - neurological disorder in dogs?
114 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).

Head tilt - neurological disorder with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with head tilt - neurological disorder