EPA and FDA Flea Products — by Dr. Mark Grossman Copyright Veterinary Information Network ACTIVE

INGREDIENTSPECIES/MIN. AGE

DOSAGE/ADMINISTRATION

EFFECTS COMMENTSPRODUCT(COMPANY)

Updated 5.2.14

Activyl TickPLUS

(Merck)

Activyl for Cats(Merck)

Indoxacarb and

Permethrin

Indoxacarb

Dogs 8 weeks Monthly Spot-On

Monthly Spot-On

Dogs 7 weeksCats 8 weeks

Advantage(Bayer)

ImidaclopridMonthly Spot-On; can be used weekly

Paralysis & death of fleas Rapid action; shampoo wash-off*

Advantage Multi

(Bayer)

ImidaclopridMoxidectin

Dogs 7 weeksMonthly Spot-On

Kill fleas within 12 hours, prevents heartworms,intestinal worms. Kills ear mites, kills scabies, mites, may kill Demodex

FDA Rx drug; heartworms, intestinal worms,ear mites, scabicidal, may have Demodexefficacy, imidacloprid shampoo wash-off*The cat version has less moxidectin, and is registered for cat parasites

Capstar(Novartis) Nitenpyram

Dogs 4 weeks >2 lbs

Cats 4 weeks >2 lbs

One Tablet daily or as needed

Rapid flea kill FDA OTC Drug, rapid onset, quick kill, no residual

Certifect(Merial)

AmitrazFipronil

Methoprene

Dogs 8 weeks >5 lbs Monthly

Spot-On

Fipronil overstimulates the flea's nervous system causing flea death; kills ticks; scabicidal, flea ovicide (Methoprene)

Not approved for Demodex, no pemphigus reaction reported; Amitraz potentiates tick kill of Fipronil. Begins killing ticks in 6 hours, kills 100% of ticks within 18 hours

Cheristin Spinetoram

Very rapid onset. Begins killing fleas in 30 minutes. May see hair loss as in other topicals, will leave a small greasy spot. Occasionally see inactivity, inappetence and vomiting.

Some flea strains relative resistance!, shampoo resistant

Fipronil overstimulates the flea's nervous system causing flea death, kills ticksMonthly

Spot-On Cats 8 weeksFipronilEasySpot

(Novartis)

Frontline Plus

(Merial)Fipronil

s-MethopreneDogs 8 weeksCats 8 weeks Monthly

Spot-On

Fipronil overstimulates the flea's nervous system causing flea death; kills and repels ticks

Continued on the other side*Note that all of the topical flea products are subject to wash-off when anti-seborrheic shampoo are used. ! relative resistance is controversial

Some flea strains relative resistance!, shampoo resistant

Cats 9 weeks

Comfortis(Elanco)

MOA

Group 4 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists / antagonists

Imidacloprid: Group 4 Nicotinicacetylcholine receptor agonists /antagonists; Moxidectin Group 6Chloride channel activators

Group 5 Nicotinic acetylcholinereceptor agonists (spinosyns)

Amitraz - Group 19 Octopaminergicagonists. Fipronil - Group 2 GABA-gated chloride channelantagonists; S-methoprene:Juvenile hormone analogue (IGR)

Group 4 Nicotinic acetylcholinereceptor agonists / antagonists

Group 2 GABA-gated chloridechannel antagonists

Fipronil - Group 2 GABA-gatedchloride channel antagonists;S-methoprene: Juvenile hormone analogue (IGR)

Monthly Spot-On

Works by activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, but at a different site than nicotine or neonicotinoid.

SpinosadDogs 14 weeks

> 3.3 lbs Cats 14 wks

> 2 lbs

Monthly Chewable

Tablet

Excitation of nervous systemParalysis and death of fleas

FDA Rx drug, rapid onset, quick kill; vomiting, epilepsy caution

Indoxacarb causes tremors, cessation of feeding and death in a few hours. Permethrin kills fleas, kills and repels ticks, repels mosquitoes.

Indoxacarb has wide margin of safety. Fairly large oil spot. So far variable results. Note: Indoxacarb is not an op or carbamate.

Cats 8 weeks

Cats 8 weeks

Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine insecticide that acts on sodium channels in the nervous system of insects.

Indoxacarb causes tremors, cessation of feeding and death in a few hours. Indoxacarb has wide margin of safety. Fairly

large oil spot. So far variable results. Note: Indoxacarb is not an op or carbamate.

Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine insecticide that acts on sodium channels in the nervous system of insects.

EFFECTS MOACOMMENTS ACTIVEINGREDIENT

SPECIES/MIN. AGE

DOSAGE/ADMINISTRATION

Revolution(Zoetis)

Monthly Spot-On

K9 Advantix(Bayer)

Imidacloprid Permethrin

Dogs 7 weeks Paralysis and death of fleas; kills and repels ticks; repels mosquitoes

Caution with cat indirect exposure; imidacloprid shampoo wash-off*

Parastar(Novartis) Fipronil Dogs 8 weeks Monthly

Spot-On

Fipronil overstimulates the flea's nervous system causing flea death; kills ticks

Some flea strains relative resistance!; shampoo resistant

ParastarPlus

(Novartis)

FipronilCyphenothrin(pyrethroid)

Dogs 12 weeks

Monthly Spot-On

Kills ticks, fleas, and chewing lice. Cyphenothrin is known to be a quick knock-down pyrethroid

Seems to work better than other topicals for ticks; waterproof. Applicator has to be cut at tip to open. Some vets feel that there has been some flea resistance to Fipronil these past few years

Program / Sentinel

(Novartis)

Dogs 4 weeksCats 4 weeks

Oral Monthly;Cat injectableevery 6 months

Insect Development Inhibitor FDA drug (Sentinel - prescription; Program - OTC); oral forms must be given with food

Selamectin Dogs 8 weeksCats 8 weeks

Monthly Spot-On

Kills fleas; prevents feeding, rapid cessation of egg production; also prevents heartworm infestations, treats ear mites, scabies (and other sarcoptiform mites), Dermacentor ticks and roundworms and hookworms in cats

FDA Rx drug; Slow to maximum kill for adult fleas, but cessation of feeding and egg production is rapid

Scalibor Flea and Tick

Collar(Merck)

Deltamethrin4%

(synthetic pyrethroid)

Dogs 12 weeksCollar

Knockdown effect, dehydration and deathExtremely lipophilic; easily penetrates the cuticles of insects and acarines. Water resistant, long lasting - up to 6 months. Caution on debilitated, pregnant, nursing or aged animals.

Trifexis(Elanco)

SpinosadMilbemycin

oxime

Dogs 7 weeks,>5 lbs Oral

monthly

Spinosad - excitation of nervous systemParalysis and death of fleas FDA Rx drug; not approved for cats

Vectra 3D(Ceva)

Dinotefuran Permethrin

PyriproxifenDogs 7 weeks Monthly

Spot-On

Dinotefuran - kills fleas. Permethrin - kills fleas, repels and kills ticks, repels and kills mosquitoes. Pyriproxifen - insect growth inhibitor

Very rapid onset of action; cool applicator; large vol. (up to 8 ml in giant breed dogs); not tested against resistant flea strains; Dinotefuran shampoo resistant*

Seresto collar

(Bayer)

Flumethrin and

imidaclopridDogs 7 weeks Cats 10 weeks

8 Month Collar

Vectra for Cats and Kittens (Ceva)

Dinotefuran Pyriproxifen Cats 8

weeks;Monthly Spot-On

Dinotefuran - kills fleasPyriproxifen - insect growth inhibitor

Very rapid onset of action; cool applicator; 0.8 ml for cats < 9 lbs; 1.2 ml for cats 9+ lbs; not tested against resistant flea strains; Dinotefuran shampoo resistant*

Continued on the other side

PRODUCT(COMPANY)

NexGard AfoxolanerA member of the isoxazoline family. Inhibits insect and acarine ligand-gated chloride channels. Particularly those gated by GABA.Results in uncontrolled activity of the CNS.

Monthly Chewable Chunk

Kills existing fleas on dogs within 24 hours after applying the collar. According to the insert, re-infesting fleas are killed within 2 hours with protection against further flea infestation lasting eight (8) months. Ticks already on the dog prior to treatment may not be killed immediately. The prevention of infestations with new ticks starts within 48 hours after application of the collar. Re-infesting ticks are repelled and/or killed as quickly as 6 hours.

Cheaper alternative than many topicals. Variable results. OTC collar. For full 8 month duration bathing no more than once per month is recommended. For dogs that swim more once a month or more, the duration is reduced to 5 months. For cats who are bathed more than once per month, the same holds true.

Dogs 8 weeks >4 lbs

Lufenuron

!

!

!

Imidacloprid: Group 4 Nicotinicacetylcholine receptor agonists /antagonists; Permethrin Group 3Sodium channel modulator

Group 2 GABA-gated chloridechannel antagonists

Fipronil - Group 2 GABA-gatedchloride channel antagonists;s-methoprene: juvenile hormone analogue (IGR)

Group 15 Inhibitors of chitinbiosynthesis

Group 22 Voltage-dependentsodium channel blockers

Metaflumizone: Group 22 Voltagedependent sodium channel blockers; Amitraz: Group 19 Octopaminergic agonists

Flumethrin effects voltage gated sodium channels in neural tissue causing them to remain open for longer than physiologically normal. Imidacloprid acts as an agonist on the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of motor neurones in insects causing an over-stimulation of the nervous system ultimately killing the insect.

Dinotefuran: Group 4 Nicotinicacetylcholine receptor agonists /antagonists similar to imidacloprid; Pyriproxifen: Juvenile hormoneanalogue (IGR)

Only tested against American dog tick but suspect it kills others. Very palatable chunk. Biggest side effect is vomiting (4%). The safe use of afoxolaner in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.

Demonstrated 100% effectiveness against adult fleas 24 hours post-infestation for 35 days. And >93% 12 hours post-infestation. Two studies showed it killed fleas before they began laying eggs. Shown to be >97% effective against American Dog tick 48 hours post infestation for 30 days.