Intentional misuse after Sarolaner (Simparica) in dogs

The FDA has received 144 reports of intentional misuse in dogs after Sarolaner. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

144Reports
54%Marked serious
3.5%Recovered
2.1%Died or euthanised
32 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
21 28%
1–2 days
5 6.7%
3–7 days
1 1.3%
1–4 weeks
9 12%
Over a month
39 52%

How the animals did

Recovered
5 3.5%
Still unwell when reported
111 77%
Died
2 1.4%
Euthanised
1 0.7%
Not known
25 17%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
5
1–3 years
38
4–7 years
43
8–11 years
33
12+ years
6

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 intentional misuse in dogs?
144 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 32 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).

Intentional misuse with similar medicines

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