NexGard Chewables for Dogs 4-10 lbs (2-4 kg)

Description

NexGard Chewables for Dogs 4–10 lbs (2–4 kg) is a beef-flavored oral chewable containing 11.3 mg afoxolaner, an isoxazoline-class ectoparasiticide manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. Each chewable delivers the labeled minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg) afoxolaner when administered to dogs within this weight band. A single monthly dose kills adult fleas and controls six tick species, including the black-legged tick responsible for transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi.

Recommended for

Dogs and puppies weighing 4 to 10 lbs (2-4 kg), from 8 weeks of age.

Indication/Coverage

For dogs suffering from, or at risk from, flea and tick infestations, NexGard Chewables 4–10 lbs addresses the following parasitic indications:

• Flea treatment (Ctenocephalides felis, adults): Kills adult fleas before they can deposit viable eggs; field data from Boehringer Ingelheim confirm 98.0% efficacy at Day 30 and 99.9% at Day 90 against existing infestations.
• Flea infestation prevention (Ctenocephalides felis): Sustained afoxolaner activity over the 30-day dosing interval interrupts the flea life cycle by eliminating adult fleas prior to oviposition.
• Treatment and control of Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick): Afoxolaner achieved greater than 94% efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation across 30 days in controlled laboratory studies.
• Treatment and control of Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick): Laboratory studies demonstrate greater than 97% efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation for 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick): Greater than 97% efficacy recorded at 72 hours post-infestation for 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Amblyomma maculatum (Gulf Coast tick): 97% efficacy demonstrated at 72 hours post-infestation for 31 days.
• Treatment and control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick): Greater than 93% efficacy at 48 hours post-infestation for 30 days.
• Treatment and control of Haemaphysalis longicornis (longhorned tick): Greater than or equal to 98.5% efficacy at 72 hours post-infestation.
• Prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi infection: NexGard is indicated to prevent Lyme disease transmission as a direct consequence of eliminating Ixodes scapularis vector ticks; this indication was confirmed in two separate controlled laboratory studies measuring infection status 28 days post-treatment.

Key Benefits

NexGard Chewables 4–10 lbs carries the following clinically relevant attributes, drawn directly from the FDA-approved product label:

• Suitable from 8 weeks: Puppies as young as 8 weeks old weighing at least 4 lbs qualify for this dosing variant, making it one of the earliest-eligible oral ectoparasiticides in the isoxazoline class.
• Six-tick species coverage: A single chewable addresses Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Haemaphysalis longicornis, covering all major tick species of veterinary significance in the U.S.
• Systemic onset at 4 hours: Afoxolaner is absorbed into systemic circulation and begins killing fleas within 4 hours of administration; greater than 99% flea kill is recorded at 8 hours in controlled laboratory conditions.
• 30-day residual activity: One chewable sustains afoxolaner plasma concentrations sufficient to kill fleas and ticks throughout the full monthly interval.
• Egg production interrupted: Fleas on treated dogs are rendered incapable of producing viable eggs at post-infestation evaluations following the first dose, curtailing environmental reinfestation.
• Oral administration removes application variables: Unlike topical spot-ons, NexGard requires no fur parting, no skin-contact application, and no post-application drying period; this removes the compliance errors associated with topical dose placement.
• Borrelia burgdorferi prevention: The FDA-approved label explicitly lists prevention of Lyme disease as an indication, a designation not carried by all tick control products.
• Food-independent absorption: NexGard can be given with or without food, so dosing is not contingent on meal timing.

Caution

Hazards to Humans

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

Hazards to Domestic Animals

NexGard is for oral administration to dogs only; do not use in other species. This variant is labeled for dogs and puppies weighing 4 to 10 lbs (2-4 kg) from 8 weeks of age. Dogs that fall below the 4 lb minimum weight threshold should not receive this chewable. The safe use of NexGard in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated; consult a veterinarian before administering to animals in these categories, or to debilitated and geriatric dogs. Afoxolaner is an isoxazoline-class compound: use with caution in dogs carrying a history of seizures or neurological disorders, as seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline-class drugs even without prior seizure history.

Possible Side Effects:

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

• Vomiting: The most frequently reported adverse reaction in the controlled field study, occurring in 4.1% of treated dogs; the incidence generally declined with subsequent doses. If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of administration, redose with a full replacement chewable.
• Diarrhea (with or without blood): Reported in 3.1% of dogs in the afoxolaner treatment group during the 90-day field study.
• Dry or flaky skin: Observed in 3.1% of afoxolaner-treated dogs; no dose-relationship was established.
• Lethargy: Reported in 1.7% of treated dogs during the field study period.
• Anorexia: Recorded in 1.2% of treated dogs; two of the five affected dogs experienced anorexia only with the first dose.
• Seizures: Reported via post-approval adverse drug experience reporting. Dogs with a history of seizures face a documented elevated risk; two dogs with pre-existing seizure histories experienced seizures on the day of dosing in the US field study.
• Additional post-approval reactions: Pruritus, hyperactivity or restlessness, panting, erythema, ataxia, dermatitis including rash and papules, allergic reactions including hives and swelling, and tremors have been reported in decreasing order of frequency.