Mental impairment after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

The FDA has received 70 reports of mental impairment in dogs after Fluralaner. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

70Reports
93%Marked serious
26%Recovered
29%Died or euthanised
3 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
9 22%
1–2 days
10 24%
3–7 days
7 17%
1–4 weeks
5 12%
Over a month
10 24%

How the animals did

Recovered
15 21%
Recovered with lasting effects
3 4.3%
Still unwell when reported
25 36%
Died
5 7.1%
Euthanised
15 21%
Not known
7 10%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
3
1–3 years
12
4–7 years
19
8–11 years
21
12+ years
14

About this medicine

Fluralaner kills fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks (chewable or spot-on).

Products with this ingredient include Bravecto. 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 Fluralaner cause mental impairment in dogs?
70 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).

Mental impairment with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Fluralaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with mental impairment