Fluralaner
Fluralaner is a systemic **isoxazoline** ectoparasiticide used primarily for the treatment and prevention of flea and tick infestations in dogs and cats. It provides an extended duration of action, typically lasting up to 12 weeks per dose. > **Clinical Pearl:** The oral chewable formulation for dogs must be administered with food to maximize gastrointestinal absorption. Use with caution in animals with a known history of seizures or neurologic disorders.
Mechanism: Fluralaner acts as an ectoparasiticide by antagonizing ligand-gated chloride channels. It specifically targets channels gated by the neurotransmitter **gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)** and glutamate (GluCl) → blocks pre- and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes → results in uncontrolled central nervous system activity and death of insects and acarines.
Dosing by species
- Flea and tick treatment and prevention · 25-56 mg/kg · PO · Every 12 weeks · 12 weeks · Administer with food. Available in 5 sizes of chewable tablets.
- Flea and tick treatment and prevention · Standard pipette based on weight (delivering approx 25 mg/kg) · topical · Every 12 weeks · 12 weeks · 280 mg/ml spot-on solution. Available in 5 sizes.
- Flea and tick treatment and prevention · Standard pipette based on weight (delivering approx 40 mg/kg) · topical · Every 12 weeks · 12 weeks · 280 mg/ml spot-on solution. Available in 3 sizes.
- Flea, tick, and nematode treatment and prevention · Standard pipette based on weight · topical · Every 12 weeks · 12 weeks · Bravecto Plus (280 mg/ml fluralaner and 14 mg/ml moxidectin). Available in 3 sizes.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Routes of administration
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to fluralaner or any excipients
- Use with caution in dogs or cats with pre-existing epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Known hypersensitivity to fluralaner
- Puppies less than 8 weeks of age or weighing less than 2 kg
- Kittens less than 11 weeks of age or weighing less than 1.2 kg
Adverse effects
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Application site reactions (erythema, pruritus, alopecia for topical forms)
- Rare neurological signs (muscle tremors, ataxia, seizures)
- Neurologic signs (tremors, ataxia, seizures - rare)
- Application site reactions (erythema, pruritus - topical forms)
Drug interactions
- Highly protein-bound drugs (e.g., NSAIDs, warfarin) · Fluralaner is highly bound to plasma proteins and might theoretically compete with other highly bound drugs, though clinical significance is generally low. · minor
- Highly protein-bound drugs (e.g., NSAIDs) · Fluralaner is highly protein-bound and may theoretically compete with other highly bound drugs, though clinical significance is generally considered low. · minor
Monitoring
- Efficacy of parasite control
- Signs of gastrointestinal upset
- Neurological status (especially in animals with a history of seizures)
- Adverse neurologic signs (tremors, ataxia, seizures)
Overdose
Fluralaner is generally well tolerated. In safety studies, oral administration of up to 5 times the maximum recommended dose in dogs produced no severe adverse effects. Overdoses may increase the risk of gastrointestinal upset or transient neurological signs. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
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.