Weight loss after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) in dogs

236 reports to the FDA describe weight loss in dogs given Imidacloprid + Moxidectin. That is 1.8% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

236Reports

76%Marked serious

19%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

10 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

20 13%

1–2 days

33 22%

3–7 days

15 10%

1–4 weeks

42 28%

Over a month

39 26%

How the animals did

Recovered

45 19%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

15 6.4%

Died

21 8.9%

Euthanised

16 6.8%

Not known

138 58%

Problems reported at the same time

68 29%

61 26%

57 24%

55 23%

Didn't prevent heartworm

42 18%

Didn't stop worms

38 16%

Death

35 15%

Behaviour change

27 11%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 weight loss in dogs?: 236 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 10 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).

Weight loss with similar medicines

Weight loss after Spinosad (Comfortis) 531 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Weight loss after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 280 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Weight loss after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 89 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Weight loss after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 77 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Weight loss after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 29 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Weight loss after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) 57 reports · 2.5% of its reports
Weight loss after Fipronil 28 reports · 2.0% of its reports

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