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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Flea (Ctenocephalides felis) treatment + 1-month prevention, dogs ≥14 weeks
DogOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Flea (Ctenocephalides felis) treatment + 1-month prevention, dogs ≥14 weeks — Authorized (Comfortis — FDA-approved, unlike most EPA-registered topicals)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Not labeled/effective for ticks (pilot data at 1.7–3.3× doses only partial)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Not labeled/effective for ticks (pilot data at 1.7–3.3× doses only partial) — —
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens1
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects203
Vomiting — Most common — mitigated by giving with food
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea — Occasional label events
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Ivermectin sensitivity note (MDR1) — Spinosad + high-dose ivermectin interaction caused tremors in some dogs — space spinosad and extra-label high-dose ivermectin apart; standard HW-preventive doses fine
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Emesis55,388 reports
- Vomiting47,694 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')22,310 reports
- Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea19,463 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS12,911 reports
- Diarrhoea8,672 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE5,668 reports
- Seizure NOS5,335 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm5,092 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS4,713 reports
- Anorexia4,480 reports
- Depression4,276 reports
Cat
- Emesis4,573 reports
- Vomiting3,715 reports
- Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea1,593 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')1,074 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS1,038 reports
- UNPALATABLE517 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS356 reports
- Accidental exposure324 reports
- Emesis (multiple)283 reports
- Diarrhoea278 reports
- Lack of efficacy (flea)247 reports
- Death225 reports
Monitoring1
Flea counts/itch response; vomiting after first doses; HW test before combo products
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Monthly WITH FOOD is the compliance script — empty-stomach dosing = vomiting = missed month.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
<14 weeks old; dogs on extra-label high-dose ivermectin (demodex protocols) — separate administrations
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The FDA-vs-EPA distinction matters in pharmacy law: Comfortis is a drug (FDA, oral, prescription), most topicals are pesticides (EPA) — different labeling, dispensing, and adverse-event reporting worlds.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Systemic oral = swims/baths don't dilute efficacy — the practical edge over fipronil/imidacloprid topicals.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Kills adults before eggs → environmental decontamination still needed for established infestations (none of the adulticides fix the carpet).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions2
High-dose ivermectin (extra-label) — Tremor risk reported — avoid concurrent dosing days
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Milbemycin (Trifexis combo) — Deliberate combination product
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Mechanism — Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist in insect neurons → hyperexcitation/death; derived from Saccharopolyspora spinosa soil bacterium
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Selectivity — Mammalian safety wide (mouse oral LD50 >5,000 mg/kg; beagles tolerated 100 mg/kg)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Speed — Rapid kill — before egg-laying starts → breaks the environmental cycle
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Label breeding-safety statements apply (consult current label); no specific monograph red flag.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1073–1074 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references18
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Antagonistic interactions between spinosad and macrocyclic lactones in combination against larvae of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, in vitro.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Non-target effects of pesticides on key predators in -greenhouse integrated pest management systems.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Spot-on application of fluralaner on cats produces high mortality in pyrethroid-resistant and susceptible Triatoma infestans, in comparison with spinosad and imidacloprid.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Oral Flea Preventive to Control Rickettsia typhi-Infected Fleas on Reservoir Opossums, Galveston, Texas, USA, 2023-2024.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- An organic solvent-free self-assembly strategy for scalable preparation of nanobiopesticides with enhanced insecticidal activity against houseflies.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.