Hyperglycaemia after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

The FDA has received 250 reports of hyperglycaemia in dogs after Afoxolaner. That is 0.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines.

250Reports
70%Marked serious
20%Recovered
22%Died or euthanised
2 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
58 27%
1–2 days
66 31%
3–7 days
18 8.5%
1–4 weeks
28 13%
Over a month
42 20%

How the animals did

Recovered
48 19%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.8%
Still unwell when reported
52 21%
Died
24 9.6%
Euthanised
31 12%
Not known
93 37%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
49
1–3 years
50
4–7 years
55
8–11 years
58
12+ years
35

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 hyperglycaemia in dogs?
250 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).

Hyperglycaemia with similar medicines

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