Elevated bile acids after Spinosad (Comfortis) in dogs

52 reports to the FDA describe elevated bile acids in dogs given Spinosad. That is 0.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines.

52Reports

50%Marked serious

27%Recovered

9.6%Died or euthanised

48 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 26%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

2 8.7%

1–4 weeks

1 4.3%

Over a month

14 61%

How the animals did

Recovered

1 1.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

13 25%

Still unwell when reported

5 9.6%

Died

4 7.7%

Euthanised

1 1.9%

Not known

28 54%

Problems reported at the same time

36 69%

21 40%

17 33%

14 27%

10 19%

9 17%

Abnormal ultrasound finding

9 17%

Tremors

5 9.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

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 elevated bile acids in dogs?: 52 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 48 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).

Elevated bile acids with similar medicines

Elevated bile acids after Lufenuron + Milbemycin Oxime (Sentinel) 32 reports · 0.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Spinosad in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated bile acids