Otitis after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

38 reports to the FDA describe otitis in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

38Reports

39%Marked serious

34%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

14 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 13%

1–2 days

7 23%

3–7 days

3 10%

1–4 weeks

8 27%

Over a month

8 27%

How the animals did

Recovered

13 34%

Still unwell when reported

7 18%

Not known

18 47%

Problems reported at the same time

Itching

17 45%

Skin redness

8 21%

Vomiting

6 16%

Skin rash or irritation

6 16%

5 13%

4 11%

4 11%

4 11%

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 otitis in dogs?: 38 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 14 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).

Otitis with similar medicines

Otitis after Fluralaner (Bravecto) 51 reports · 0.1% of its reports

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