Dinotefuran
Dinotefuran is a third-generation neonicotinoid insecticide used primarily as a topical flea adulticide in veterinary medicine. It provides rapid knockdown of adult fleas. **Clinical Pearl:** In dogs, it is frequently combined with permethrin (a pyrethroid tick/mosquito repellent and adulticide) and pyriproxyfen (an insect growth regulator) to provide broad-spectrum ectoparasite control. > **WARNING:** Permethrin-containing combination products (like Vectra 3D) are highly toxic to cats.
Mechanism: Dinotefuran acts as an agonist at insect **nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)**. It binds continuously to these receptors → causes continuous nerve stimulation → leads to tremors, paralysis, and death of the insect. **Synergistic activity** is observed when combined with permethrin in vitro and in vivo.
Dosing by species
- Flea, tick, and flying insect control · 6.4 mg dinotefuran/kg, 0.6 mg pyriproxyfen/kg and 46.6 mg permethrin/kg · topical · q4w · Continuous during parasite season · Apply topically to the skin as a spot-on. Vectra 3D formulation.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Cats (specifically for permethrin-containing combination products like Vectra 3D)
- Known hypersensitivity to neonicotinoids
Adverse effects
- Application site reactions (erythema, pruritus, alopecia)
- Lethargy
- Gastrointestinal upset if ingested (hypersalivation, vomiting)
Monitoring
- Efficacy of parasite control
- Application site for irritation or erythema
Overdose
Overdose of topical dinotefuran alone is generally well tolerated in dogs. However, ingestion or massive overdose of combination products containing permethrin can lead to **pyrethroid toxicity** (tremors, seizures, hypersalivation, hyperthermia). Treatment is supportive (e.g., methocarbamol for tremors, bathing with dish soap to remove unabsorbed product).
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.