Lymphocytosis after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) in dogs

The FDA has received 118 reports of lymphocytosis in dogs after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

118Reports
83%Marked serious
38%Recovered
24%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
27 28%
1–2 days
8 8.3%
3–7 days
9 9.4%
1–4 weeks
9 9.4%
Over a month
43 45%

How the animals did

Recovered
18 15%
Recovered with lasting effects
27 23%
Still unwell when reported
25 21%
Died
15 13%
Euthanised
13 11%
Not known
20 17%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
28
1–3 years
31
4–7 years
34
8–11 years
19
12+ years
2

About this medicine

Milbemycin Oxime prevents heartworm and controls some intestinal worms (monthly). Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

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

Some herding breeds (for example Collies) carry the MDR1 gene variant and can be more sensitive to this drug class at high doses.

Questions owners ask

Can Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad cause lymphocytosis in dogs?
118 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 14 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).

Lymphocytosis with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with lymphocytosis