Wobbliness (ataxia) after Moxidectin + Praziquantel in horses

34 reports to the FDA describe wobbliness (ataxia) in horses given Moxidectin + Praziquantel. That is 9.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.9% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

34Reports
53%Marked serious
18%Recovered
24%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
5 22%
1–2 days
16 70%
3–7 days
1 4.3%
1–4 weeks
1 4.3%
Over a month
0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
6 18%
Still unwell when reported
9 26%
Died
3 8.8%
Euthanised
5 15%
Not known
11 32%

Problems reported at the same time

12 35%
9 26%
6 18%
Eye or vision problems
5 15%
Tremors
5 15%
Dehydration
4 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
4
1–3 years
4
4–7 years
8
8–11 years
4
12+ years
9

About this medicine

Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease (monthly topical, or a 6- or 12-month injection for dogs). Praziquantel treats tapeworms.

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 Moxidectin + Praziquantel cause wobbliness (ataxia) in horses?
34 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).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Moxidectin + Praziquantel in horses · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)