Application site reaction after Selamectin (Revolution) in dogs

The FDA has received 1,056 reports of application site reaction in dogs after Selamectin. That is 3.6% 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.

1,056Reports

3.6%Marked serious

7.2%Recovered

0.5%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

189 49%

1–2 days

106 28%

3–7 days

35 9.1%

1–4 weeks

36 9.4%

Over a month

17 4.4%

How the animals did

Recovered

76 7.2%

Still unwell when reported

154 15%

Died

2 0.2%

Euthanised

3 0.3%

Not known

821 78%

Problems reported at the same time

Hair loss

277 26%

Itching

182 17%

Skin redness

104 9.8%

Skin rash or irritation

89 8.4%

Lethargy

58 5.5%

Skin scab

50 4.7%

Restlessness or agitation

42 4.0%

Vomiting

40 3.8%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

165

1–3 years

351

4–7 years

255

8–11 years

151

12+ years

About this medicine

Selamectin prevents heartworm and treats fleas, ear mites and some worms (spot-on).

Products with this ingredient include Revolution. 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 Selamectin cause application site reaction in dogs?: 1,056 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).

Application site reaction with similar medicines

Application site reaction after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 416 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Application site reaction after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 39 reports · 0.1% of its reports
Application site reaction after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 23 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Selamectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with application site reaction