Anxiety after Sarolaner (Simparica) in dogs

The FDA has received 210 reports of anxiety in dogs after Sarolaner. That is 1.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

210Reports
33%Marked serious
24%Recovered
4.8%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
92 49%
1–2 days
44 24%
3–7 days
16 8.6%
1–4 weeks
9 4.8%
Over a month
26 14%

How the animals did

Recovered
50 24%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 0.5%
Still unwell when reported
87 41%
Died
2 1.0%
Euthanised
8 3.8%
Not known
62 30%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
6
1–3 years
50
4–7 years
68
8–11 years
41
12+ years
33

About this medicine

Sarolaner kills fleas, ticks and some mites; monthly.

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

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Sarolaner cause anxiety in dogs?
210 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 1 day 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).

Anxiety with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Sarolaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with anxiety