NexGard Chewables for Dogs 10.1-24 lbs (4.1-10 kg)

Description

NexGard Chewables for Dogs 10.1-24 lbs (4.1-10 kg) contains 28.3 mg afoxolaner per beef-flavored soft chewable, formulated by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health to deliver the labeled minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg) across this weight band. Administered orally once monthly, each chewable provides systemic flea kill beginning at 4 hours post-dose and controls six tick species through 30 days of residual afoxolaner activity. This variant is approved under FDA NADA #141-406 for dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age.

Recommended for

Dogs and puppies weighing 10.1 to 24 lbs (4.1-10 kg), from 8 weeks of age.

Indication/Coverage

For dogs suffering from, or at risk from, flea and tick infestations, NexGard Chewables 10.1–24 lbs is indicated for the following parasitic conditions:

• Flea treatment (Ctenocephalides felis, adults): Afoxolaner kills adult fleas through systemic circulation before viable egg deposition occurs; Boehringer Ingelheim field data record 98.0% flea elimination at Day 30, rising to 99.9% at Day 90.
• Flea infestation prevention (Ctenocephalides felis): Sustained plasma concentrations of afoxolaner throughout the 30-day dosing interval prevent re-establishment of flea populations by eliminating adults before oviposition.
• Treatment and control of Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick, adults): Controlled laboratory studies demonstrate greater than 94% efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation maintained over 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick, adults): Greater than 97% efficacy confirmed at 48 hours post-infestation across a 30-day study period.
• Treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick, adults): Greater than 97% efficacy recorded at 72 hours post-infestation for 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick, adults): 97% efficacy demonstrated at 72 hours post-infestation through Day 31.
• Treatment and control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick, adults): Greater than 93% efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation sustained over 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Haemaphysalis longicornis (longhorned tick, adults): Greater than or equal to 98.5% efficacy at 72 hours post-infestation.
• Prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi infection: FDA-approved label indication, confirmed in two controlled laboratory studies measuring infection prevention 28 days after dosing; protection is tick-kill dependent via elimination of Ixodes scapularis vector ticks.

Key Benefits

The following attributes are drawn from the FDA-approved product label and Boehringer Ingelheim clinical study data for the 10.1–24 lb variant:

• Eligible from 8 weeks: Dogs and puppies from 8 weeks of age weighing at least 10.1 lbs qualify for this chewable, placing it among the earliest-eligible systemic ectoparasiticides in the isoxazoline class for dogs in this size range.
• Six-species tick control: A single monthly chewable covers Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Haemaphysalis longicornis, addressing every tick species of primary veterinary concern across the U.S.
• Systemic kill at 4 hours: Afoxolaner enters systemic circulation and achieves greater than 99% flea kill by 8 hours post-administration in controlled laboratory conditions, limiting the window for adult flea survival on treated animals.
• Full 30-day residual activity: The 28.3 mg afoxolaner dose maintains parasiticidal plasma concentrations through the complete monthly interval, with no identified activity gap between doses under standard monthly scheduling.
• Egg production halted post-dose: Following the first dose, fleas on treated dogs are rendered incapable of producing viable eggs at subsequent post-infestation evaluations, interrupting environmental flea reinfestation.
• Oral form eliminates topical compliance errors: Administration as a chewable removes the placement accuracy requirements of spot-on products, particularly relevant for medium-coated and double-coated dogs in the 10–24 lb range where parting fur to bare skin can be difficult.
• Lyme disease prevention: The FDA-approved Borrelia burgdorferi prevention indication distinguishes NexGard from tick-repellent-only products; protection is contingent on eliminating Ixodes scapularis ticks before pathogen transmission occurs.
• Drug interaction data from field studies: NexGard was administered concurrently with vaccines, anthelmintics, antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, anesthetics, and antihistamines in two US field studies without observed adverse interactions, providing a documented co-administration record for dogs on concurrent therapy.

Caution

Hazards to Humans

NexGard is not intended for human use. Keep out of reach of children and away from food preparation surfaces. In the event of accidental ingestion by a person, contact a physician immediately. Wash hands thoroughly after handling chewables.

Hazards to Domestic Animals

NexGard is for oral administration to dogs only; do not use in cats or other species. This variant is labeled for dogs and puppies weighing 10.1 to 24 lbs (4.1-10 kg) from 8 weeks of age. Dogs below 10.1 lbs on the dosing day should not receive this chewable. Prior to administration in debilitated, aged, pregnant, or lactating dogs, consult a veterinarian. Afoxolaner belongs to the isoxazoline class; use with caution in any dog carrying a prior history of seizures or neurological disorders, as seizures have been reported with isoxazoline-class drugs even in dogs without a pre-existing seizure history. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated.

Possible Side Effects

Monitor your dog after each administration, with particular attention following the first dose. The adverse reactions below reflect data from the Boehringer Ingelheim US field study (415 afoxolaner-treated dogs over 90 days) and post-approval reporting submitted to FDA/CVM.

• Vomiting: The most frequently reported reaction in the field study, occurring in 4.1% of afoxolaner-treated dogs; incidence declined with subsequent monthly doses in most cases. Redose with a full replacement chewable if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of administration.
• Diarrhea (with or without blood): Recorded in 3.1% of dogs in the afoxolaner treatment group across the 90-day study period.
• Dry or flaky skin: Observed in 3.1% of treated dogs; no causal dose-relationship was established in the study data.
• Lethargy: Reported in 1.7% of afoxolaner-treated dogs during the field study.
• Anorexia: Noted in 1.2% of treated dogs; two of five affected animals experienced anorexia only with the first dose and not on subsequent administrations.
• Seizures: Flagged through post-approval adverse drug experience reporting to FDA/CVM. Dogs with a documented history of seizures carry elevated risk; two dogs with prior seizure histories experienced seizure events on the day of dosing in the US field study.
• Additional post-approval reactions (in decreasing order of reporting frequency): Pruritus, hyperactivity or restlessness, panting, erythema, ataxia, dermatitis including rash and papules, allergic reactions including hives and swelling, and tremors.