Skin rash or irritation after Afoxolaner (NexGard) in dogs

958 reports to the FDA describe skin rash or irritation in dogs given Afoxolaner. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.3% across reports for all dog medicines.

958Reports

50%Marked serious

18%Recovered

2.8%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

213 27%

1–2 days

176 22%

3–7 days

79 10%

1–4 weeks

99 13%

Over a month

218 28%

How the animals did

Recovered

168 18%

Still unwell when reported

127 13%

Died

13 1.4%

Euthanised

14 1.5%

Not known

636 66%

Problems reported at the same time

454 47%

127 13%

122 13%

107 11%

100 10%

87 9.1%

70 7.3%

68 7.1%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

114

1–3 years

230

4–7 years

269

8–11 years

189

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 skin rash or irritation in dogs?: 958 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).

Skin rash or irritation with similar medicines

Skin rash or irritation after Fluralaner (Bravecto) 661 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Sarolaner (Simparica) 135 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Lotilaner (Credelio) 118 reports · 1.2% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel (NexGard PLUS) 66 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Skin rash or irritation after Lotilaner + Moxidectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Credelio Quattro) 54 reports · 1.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Afoxolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with skin rash or irritation