Lethargy after Imidacloprid + Permethrin in dogs

87 reports to the FDA describe lethargy in dogs given Imidacloprid + Permethrin. That is 19% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 11% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

87Reports

33%Marked serious

67%Recovered

4.6%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 28%

1–2 days

9 15%

3–7 days

5 8.2%

1–4 weeks

11 18%

Over a month

19 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

54 62%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 4.6%

Still unwell when reported

11 13%

Died

2 2.3%

Euthanised

2 2.3%

Not known

14 16%

Problems reported at the same time

35 40%

29 33%

14 16%

13 15%

12 14%

Breathing problems

8 9.2%

Fever

7 8.0%

Restlessness or agitation

7 8.0%

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).

Questions owners ask

Can Imidacloprid + Permethrin cause lethargy in dogs?: 87 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 7 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).

Lethargy with similar medicines

Lethargy after Spinosad (Comfortis) 7,303 reports · 13% of its reports
Lethargy after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 2,341 reports · 9.0% of its reports
Lethargy after Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 2,000 reports · 15% of its reports
Lethargy after Nitenpyram (Capstar) 1,204 reports · 11% of its reports
Lethargy after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Sentinel Spectrum) 666 reports · 6.7% of its reports
Lethargy after Fipronil + S-methoprene (Frontline Plus) 447 reports · 15% of its reports
Lethargy after Flumethrin + Imidacloprid (Seresto) 250 reports · 11% of its reports
Lethargy after Imidacloprid 196 reports · 10% of its reports
Lethargy after Fipronil 185 reports · 13% of its reports
Lethargy after Lufenuron 205 reports · 20% of its reports

All reported side effects of Imidacloprid + Permethrin in dogs · Medicines most reported with lethargy