Localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

66 reports to the FDA describe localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines.

66Reports

58%Marked serious

21%Recovered

11%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

13 24%

1–2 days

13 24%

3–7 days

7 13%

1–4 weeks

8 15%

Over a month

13 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 21%

Still unwell when reported

9 14%

Died

4 6.1%

Euthanised

3 4.5%

Not known

36 55%

Problems reported at the same time

24 36%

21 32%

14 21%

12 18%

12 18%

12 18%

11 17%

9 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) in dogs?: 66 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 3 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).

Localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) with similar medicines

Localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) after Fluralaner (Bravecto) 139 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) after Sarolaner (Simparica) 25 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain) after Lotilaner (Credelio) 24 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with localised pain (see other 'socs' for specific pain)