Fluralaner

Fluralaner: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Fluralaner acts at ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby blocking the pre-and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes.

Uses of Fluralaner

• Treatment of fleas and ticks in dogs/cats.
• Treatment of ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) in cats.
• Fluralaner has an action against Demodex mites.

Dose of Fluralaner in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 25–56 mg fluralaner/kg p.o. q 3 months or apply 1 pipette per dog according to body weight q 3 months.

Cats:

• Apply 1 pipette per cat according to body weight q 3 months.

Side Effects of Fluralaner in Dogs and Cats

• Oral product dogs: Mild GI signs may occur; convulsions and lethargy have been reported very rarely.
• Spot-on: erythema, and alopecia at the application site.
• Cats: apathy, tremors, anorexia, vomiting, hypersalivation.

Contraindications of Fluralaner in Dogs and Cats

• Do not use in dogs <8 weeks or <2 kg.
• Should not be used on kittens <11 weeks and/or cats weighing less than 1.2 kg.
• Use with caution in dogs with pre-existing epilepsy.
• The product should not be administered at intervals shorter than 8 weeks.

Some Notes:

• Fluralaner is highly bound to plasma proteins and might compete with other highly bound active substances such as NSAIDs and the coumarin derivative warfarin.
• Onset of action: fleas within 8 hours and ticks within 12 hours (Ixodes ricinus).
• Immediate and persistent tick-killing activity for 12 weeks for Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and D. variabilis, 8 weeks for Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
• Parasites need to start feeding on the host to become exposed to fluralaner; therefore the risk of the transmission of parasite-borne diseases cannot be excluded.
• Can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs.