Itching after Imidacloprid in dogs

297 reports to the FDA describe itching in dogs given Imidacloprid. That is 16% 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.

297Reports

9.8%Marked serious

11%Recovered

1.0%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

73 29%

1–2 days

63 25%

3–7 days

25 10%

1–4 weeks

37 15%

Over a month

51 20%

How the animals did

Recovered

34 11%

Still unwell when reported

57 19%

Died

2 0.7%

Euthanised

1 0.3%

Not known

203 68%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't stop fleas

160 54%

Hair loss

30 10%

Loss of appetite

21 7.1%

Restlessness or agitation

19 6.4%

Skin rash or irritation

19 6.4%

Behaviour change

17 5.7%

Lethargy

16 5.4%

Skin redness

16 5.4%

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 cause itching in dogs?: 297 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 2 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 Imidacloprid + Moxidectin (Advantage Multi) 2,227 reports · 17% 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 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 in dogs · Medicines most reported with itching