Drug administration error after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

The FDA has received 164 reports of drug administration error in dogs after Spinosad. That is 0.3% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

164Reports
7.3%Marked serious
24%Recovered
3.7%Died or euthanised
14 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
21 36%
1–2 days
1 1.7%
3–7 days
3 5.1%
1–4 weeks
13 22%
Over a month
21 36%

How the animals did

Recovered
36 22%
Recovered with lasting effects
3 1.8%
Still unwell when reported
23 14%
Died
3 1.8%
Euthanised
3 1.8%
Not known
96 59%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
23
1–3 years
34
4–7 years
42
8–11 years
31
12+ years
17

About this medicine

Spinosad kills fleas; monthly chewable.

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

Questions owners ask

Can Spinosad cause drug administration error in dogs?
164 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 14 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).

Drug administration error with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with drug administration error