Seizures after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

4,287 reports to the FDA describe seizures in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 7.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

4,287Reports
65%Marked serious
40%Recovered
9.7%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
849 24%
1–2 days
757 22%
3–7 days
484 14%
1–4 weeks
637 18%
Over a month
787 22%

How the animals did

Recovered
1,708 40%
Recovered with lasting effects
14 0.3%
Still unwell when reported
349 8.1%
Died
208 4.9%
Euthanised
207 4.8%
Not known
1,801 42%

Problems reported at the same time

665 16%
452 11%
447 10%
417 9.7%
319 7.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
392
1–3 years
1,067
4–7 years
1,285
8–11 years
787
12+ years
512

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 seizures in dogs?
4,287 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).

Seizures with similar medicines

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