Behaviour change after Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner (Simparica Trio) in dogs

The FDA has received 55 reports of behaviour change in dogs after Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner. That is 4.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

55Reports
22%Marked serious
20%Recovered
7.3%Died or euthanised
54 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
7 16%
1–2 days
3 6.8%
3–7 days
1 2.3%
1–4 weeks
7 16%
Over a month
26 59%

How the animals did

Recovered
11 20%
Still unwell when reported
19 35%
Died
2 3.6%
Euthanised
2 3.6%
Not known
21 38%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
6
1–3 years
8
4–7 years
15
8–11 years
14
12+ years
8

About this medicine

Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs). Pyrantel treats roundworms and hookworms. Sarolaner kills fleas, ticks and some mites; monthly.

Products with this combination include Simparica Trio. 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 Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner cause behaviour change in dogs?
55 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 54 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).

Behaviour change with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with behaviour change