What Is Lotilaner?
Lotilaner (Credelio, Credelio Cat) is an FDA-approved chewable tablet your veterinarian can prescribe to treat and stop adult flea and tick infestations on your dogs and cats. It doesn’t kill flea eggs or larvae (immature fleas), or fleas in your environment.
Your veterinarian might also prescribe lotilaner for demodex mites (demodicosis mange) and scabies mites (sarcoptic mange) in dogs, as well as ear mites in cats and dogs. Off-label means your vet is using it for something not approved by the FDA to treat.
Most dogs and cats can take lotilaner without any side effects, problems of overdose, or drug interactions.
Lotilaner is available from your veterinarian as a chewable tablet, and it will start killing adult fleas in eight to 12 hours and killing ticks in 48 to 72 hours.
How Is Lotilaner Used in Pets?
Lotilaner is a tablet you can give your dog or cat to treat adult fleas and some species of ticks. Dogs and puppies should weigh at least 4.4 pounds and be at least 8 weeks old before taking lotilaner. Cats should weigh at least 2 pounds and be at least 8 weeks old.
You should give your dog or cat lotilaner with a small amount of food, or within 30 minutes of them eating, and make sure they eat the entire tablet. If they vomit within 2 hours after you give them the tablet, ask your veterinarian if they need a second dose. Your dog or cat should take lotilaner once a month (every 30 days) unless your veterinarian gives you other instructions.
Always follow your veterinarian’s directions for giving your pet medicines. Tell them about any medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies you give your dog or cat. Talk to your veterinarian before stopping any pet medicines.
What Are the Benefits of Lotilaner?
There are many benefits of lotilaner:
- Dogs and cats usually don’t have side effects.
- It’s FDA-approved for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens.
- It starts to kill fleas and ticks in four hours in dogs.
- It kills fleas in cats in as fast as six hours.
- Your dog and cat only have to take it once every 30 days.
- There are very low risks of drug interactions.
What Follow-Up Is Required?
You and your veterinarian should watch your pet for improvement – like fewer fleas and ticks, and less itching and scratching – as well as for side effects of the medicine. If you’re giving your dog or cat lotilaner to treat ear mites, your veterinarian may need to swab their ears to see if the mites are gone. If your dog is taking lotilaner for demodectic mange, your vet will likely do a follow-up skin scraping.
Does Lotilaner Have Warnings or Side Effects?
Don’t give lotilaner to animals that are allergic, or to dogs that weigh less than 4.4 pounds or are less than 8 weeks old. Don’t give lotilaner to cats that weigh less than 2 pounds or are less than 8 weeks old. Be careful giving lotilaner to dogs and cats with a history of seizures (epilepsy), or that are underweight, old, or weak. Use cautiously in breeding, pregnant, or nursing pets.
Lotilaner is usually well-tolerated in animals. Side effects may include:
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea or loose stool
- Weight loss
- Flaky skin
Serious side effects are rare, but include:
- Seizures or tremors
- Trouble breathing
- Difficulty walking
- Severe vomiting
If you think your pet is having a serious side effect, call your veterinary clinic right away. If it is outside of regular office hours, contact a local emergency veterinary hospital or an animal poison control center. Note that fees may apply for emergency consultation.
You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Does Lotilaner Interact With Other Medicines (Drug Interactions)?
There are no known risks of lotilaner interacting with other medicines in dogs and cats. But using multiple medicines can sometimes change how your pet’s medicines work or increase your pet’s risk of serious side effects. Always tell your veterinarian about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements your pet takes.
Are There Safety Concerns for Pet Owners?
Keep lotilaner out of the reach of children. Wash your hands after giving it to your pet, and don’t touch lotilaner if you are allergic.
What if My Pet Takes Too Much, Overdoses, or Misses a Dose?
The chances of your dog or cat overdosing on lotilaner are low. But if you think they’re having a bad reaction to lotilaner, call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic right away.
If you missed giving your cat or dog their dose of lotilaner, give them the dose as soon as you remember and start a new 30-day schedule. So if you remember on Oct. 12 that you forgot to give your dog their regular dose on Oct. 1, give them the dose on Oct. 12 and give the next dose on Nov. 12. Don’t give your dog two doses.
How Do I Store Lotilaner?
Store lotilaner in the original foil packet at room temperature, protected from moisture and light.
