Liver problems after Selamectin (Revolution) in dogs

560 reports to the FDA describe liver problems in dogs given Selamectin. That is 1.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

560Reports

13%Marked serious

3.6%Recovered

18%Died or euthanised

5 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

40 26%

1–2 days

22 14%

3–7 days

22 14%

1–4 weeks

21 14%

Over a month

47 31%

How the animals did

Recovered

19 3.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.2%

Still unwell when reported

113 20%

Died

90 16%

Euthanised

13 2.3%

Not known

324 58%

Problems reported at the same time

188 34%

174 31%

158 28%

104 19%

102 18%

86 15%

86 15%

69 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

110

4–7 years

150

8–11 years

146

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 liver problems in dogs?: 560 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 5 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).

Liver problems with similar medicines

Liver problems after Ivermectin + Pyrantel (Heartgard Plus) 1,518 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Liver problems after Milbemycin Oxime + Spinosad (Trifexis) 2,221 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Liver problems after Moxidectin (ProHeart 6) 2,025 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Liver problems after Milbemycin Oxime + Praziquantel (Interceptor Plus) 534 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Liver problems after Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor) 531 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Liver problems after Ivermectin (Heartgard) 369 reports · 3.1% of its reports
Liver problems after Ivermectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Iverhart Max) 149 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Liver problems after Moxidectin + Pyrantel + Sarolaner (Simparica Trio) 63 reports · 5.4% of its reports

All reported side effects of Selamectin in dogs · Medicines most reported with liver problems