MDose · Veterinary drug reference
SELAMECTIN
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Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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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.
Indications3
Flea control, heartworm prevention, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, tick control (Dermacentor variabilis)
DogOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Flea control, heartworm prevention, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, tick control (Dermacentor variabilis) — FDA-approved
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Flea control, heartworm prevention, ear mites, hookworms (A. tubaeforme), roundworms (T. cati)
CatOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Flea control, heartworm prevention, ear mites, hookworms (A. tubaeforme), roundworms (T. cati) — FDA-approved
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Selamectin is recommended for use in dogs six weeks of age or older and cats eight weeks of age and older for the following parasites and indications: Dogs: (Ctenocephalides felis) Dirofilaria immitis (Otodectes cynotis) (Sarcoptes scabiei) Dermacentor variabilis Selamectin kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month and is indicated for the prevention and control of flea infestations, prevention of heartworm disease caused by, and the treatment and control of ear miteinfestations. Selamectin also is indicated for the treatment and control of sarcoptic mangeand for the control of tick infestations due to. Cats: (Ctenocephalides felis) Dirofilaria immitis (Otodectes cynotis) (Toxocara cati) (Ancylostoma tubaeforme) Selamectin kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month and is indicated for the prevention and control of flea infestations, prevention of heartworm disease caused by, and the treatment and control of ear miteinfestations. Selamectin is also indicated for the treatment and control of roundwormand intestinal hookworminfections in cats.
Other speciesOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · SPL section 34067-9 (INDICATIONS & USAGE SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
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.
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Adverse effects205
Transient localized alopecia at application site — ~1% of cats
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Diarrhea, vomiting, muscle tremors, anorexia, pruritus/urticaria, erythema, lethargy, salivation, tachypnea — ≤0.5% incidence
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Seizures, ataxia (very rare) — Rare
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pre-Approval Clinical Trials: Following treatment with Selamectin, transient localized alopecia with or without inflammation at or near the site of application was observed in approximately 1% of 691 treated cats. Other signs observed (≤0.5% of 1743 treated cats and dogs) included vomiting, loose stool or diarrhea with or without blood, anorexia, lethargy, salivation, tachypnea, and muscle tremors. Post-Approval Experience (2021): The following adverse events are based on post-approval adverse drug experience reporting for selamectin. Not all adverse events are reported to FDA/CVM. It is not always possible to reliably estimate the adverse event frequency or establish a causal relationship to product exposure using this data. dogs The following adverse events reported forare listed in decreasing order of reporting frequency: Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, generalized pruritus, seizures, application site reactions (including alopecia, lesions, erythema, pruritis, and inflammation), tremors, ataxia, death, and dermatitis. cats The following adverse events reported forare listed in decreasing order of reporting frequency: Application site reactions (including alopecia, lesions, erythema, pruritus, inflammation, vesicles, blisters, and excoriations), lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, death, generalized pruritus, diarrhea, ataxia, fever, generalized alopecia, tremors, hypersalivation, dermatitis, and seizures.
Other speciesOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · SPL section 34084-4 (ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · 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
- INEFFECTIVE, HEARTWORM LARVAE7,937 reports
- Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea3,274 reports
- Vomiting2,901 reports
- Depression1,876 reports
- Diarrhoea1,730 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - hookworm1,628 reports
- Anorexia1,487 reports
- Pruritus1,428 reports
- Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - tick NOS1,135 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')959 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS868 reports
- Lack of efficacy (endoparasite) - heartworm774 reports
Cat
- Application site alopecia5,933 reports
- Application site hair loss4,433 reports
- Lack of efficacy (ectoparasite) - flea2,896 reports
- Vomiting2,777 reports
- Anorexia2,173 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')1,954 reports
- Depression1,687 reports
- Application site scab1,440 reports
- Application site lesion1,364 reports
- Application site erythema1,243 reports
- Diarrhoea1,192 reports
- Application site inflammation999 reports
Monitoring1
Heartworm status confirmation before starting/continuing prophylaxis; owner compliance with monthly application schedule
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Not recommended <6 weeks (dog) or <8 weeks (cat) of age
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Use caution in sick/underweight/debilitated animals; ABCB1-mutant breeds should tolerate labeled dose but use cautiously — higher doses may cause neurotoxicity
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Not effective against adult heartworms or clearing circulating microfilaria — label explicitly states this; don't rely on it as sole therapy in a heartworm-positive patient.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Application technique matters: do not massage into skin, do not apply to wet coat, avoid contact with treated area until dry, wait ≥2h before bathing/swimming.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Not effective for generalized demodicosis — despite being in the same drug class as ivermectin/milbemycin, selamectin has not shown efficacy for this indication.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
D. immitis Prior to administration of Selamectin, dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections. At the discretion of the veterinarian, infected dogs should be treated to remove adult heartworms. Selamectin is not effective against adultand, while the number of circulating microfilariae may decrease following treatment, Selamectin is not effective for microfilariae clearance. TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY) Hypersensitivity reactions have not been observed in dogs with patent heartworm infections administered Selamectin (see.
Other speciesOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · SPL section 42232-9 (PRECAUTIONS SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions1
P-glycoprotein inhibitors (azoles, cyclosporine, diltiazem, macrolide antibiotics, quinidine, spironolactone, amiodarone, tamoxifen, verapamil, carvedilol) — Theoretical ↑ CNS penetration risk in ABCB1-mutant dogs — no confirmed interactions documented, but same caution class as other avermectins
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Bioavailability — ~5% (dog, topical); ~75% (cat, topical)
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Peak plasma — ~3 days (dog); ~15h (cat)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~11 days (dog); ~8 days (cat)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Appears safe in pregnant/lactating dogs and cats.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1053–1054; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 720–721 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references5
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.
- Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) infection in zoo-housed arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus).
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Correction to: First study of topical selamectin efficacy for treating cats naturally infected with Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi under field conditions.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Corrected (CORRECTED) - The Veterinary Anti-Parasitic Selamectin Is a Novel Inhibitor of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis DprE1 Enzyme.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Characterization of a P-glycoprotein drug transporter from Toxocara canis with a novel pharmacological profile.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Macrocyclic lactone resistance in Dirofilaria immitis: risks for prevention of heartworm disease.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine; 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.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.