Itching after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in dogs

The FDA has received 2,227 reports of itching in dogs after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 17% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

2,227Reports

61%Marked serious

32%Recovered

0.9%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

395 26%

1–2 days

269 18%

3–7 days

198 13%

1–4 weeks

483 32%

Over a month

186 12%

How the animals did

Recovered

704 32%

Recovered with lasting effects

7 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

102 4.6%

Died

6 0.3%

Euthanised

14 0.6%

Not known

1,394 63%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't stop fleas

628 28%

Skin rash or irritation

243 11%

Skin redness

238 11%

Behaviour change

219 9.8%

Hair loss

197 8.8%

Application site reaction

194 8.7%

Restlessness or agitation

183 8.2%

Lethargy

171 7.7%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

278

1–3 years

611

4–7 years

618

8–11 years

401

12+ years

147

About this medicine

Imidacloprid kills fleas (spot-on or collar). Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs).

Products with this combination include Advantage Multi. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid + Moxidectin cause itching in dogs?: 2,227 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 5 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).

Itching with similar medicines

Itching after Spinosad (Comfortis) 3,874 reports · 6.8% of its reports
Itching after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 1,223 reports · 4.7% of its reports
Itching after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 1,450 reports · 13% of its reports
Itching after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 281 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Itching after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 330 reports · 11% of its reports
Itching after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) 610 reports · 27% of its reports
Itching after Imidacloprid 297 reports · 16% of its reports
Itching after Fipronil 138 reports · 9.8% of its reports
Itching after Lufenuron 178 reports · 17% of its reports
Itching after Imidacloprid + Permethrin + Pyriproxyfen 206 reports · 28% of its reports

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid + Moxidectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with itching