Elevated lipase after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) in dogs

The FDA has received 48 reports of elevated lipase in dogs after Milbemycin Oxime. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

48Reports
17%Marked serious
2.1%Recovered
23%Died or euthanised
–Typical onset
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How the animals did

Recovered
1 2.1%
Still unwell when reported
7 15%
Died
10 21%
Euthanised
1 2.1%
Not known
29 60%

Problems reported at the same time

Vomiting
28 58%
Liver problems
19 40%
Pancreatitis
19 40%
Lethargy
19 40%
Loss of appetite
18 38%
Diarrhea
16 33%
Elevated amylase
15 31%
Death
12 25%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
5
1–3 years
6
4–7 years
13
8–11 years
14
12+ years
10

About this medicine

Milbemycin Oxime prevents heartworm and controls some intestinal worms (monthly).

Products with this ingredient include Interceptor. 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 cause elevated lipase in dogs?
48 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.
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).

Elevated lipase with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Milbemycin Oxime in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated lipase