NexGard Combo For Cats Up to 5.5 lbs (<2.5 kg)

Description

NexGard COMBO For Cats Up to 5.5 lbs (<2.5 kg) is a three-compound topical spot-on produced by Boehringer Ingelheim that delivers 3.6 mg esafoxolaner, 1.2 mg eprinomectin, and 24.9 mg praziquantel in a single 0.3 mL applicator applied once per month. This formulation targets six parasite categories in one dose: fleas, ticks, heartworm, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. As the smallest weight-band variant in the NexGard COMBO line, it is calibrated for kittens and small cats during the developmental window when initial parasitic exposure typically occurs.

Recommended for

Cats and kittens weighing up to 5.5 lbs (up to 2.5 kg) from 8 weeks of age.

Indication/Coverage

For cats suffering from, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infections:

• Flea treatment and prevention: Kills adult fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and sustains month-long control of infestations; eliminates fleas before egg deposition can occur.
• Tick treatment and control: Active against Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) for 48 hours post-infestation and Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) for 72 hours post-infestation, with efficacy maintained for one month.
• Heartworm disease prevention: Eprinomectin prevents the development of Dirofilaria immitis larvae into adult heartworms when applied on a continuous monthly schedule; a minimum of three consecutive monthly doses after last mosquito exposure is required for complete prevention.
• Roundworm treatment and control: Clears fourth stage larval and adult Toxocara cati; monthly reapplication controls reinfection regardless of season.
• Hookworm treatment and control: Eliminates fourth stage larval and adult Ancylostoma tubaeforme and adult Ancylostoma braziliense in a single dose.
• Tapeworm treatment: Praziquantel removes adult Dipylidium caninum (flea-transmitted tapeworm) per dose; monthly use controls any subsequent tapeworm infections acquired through flea ingestion.

Key Benefits

The following attributes are sourced from Boehringer Ingelheim’s FDA-approved labeling and controlled efficacy studies for the 0.3 mL applicator:

• Early-life eligibility: Kittens from 8 weeks of age weighing as little as 1.8 lbs (0.8 kg) qualify for this applicator, permitting the start of combined parasite prevention during the period of highest vulnerability to environmental exposure.
• Combined six-parasite action: Each 0.3 mL dose simultaneously addresses fleas, ticks , heartworm larvae, roundworms, hookworms, and flea-transmitted tapeworms, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatments.
• Systemic distribution via transdermal absorption: Following topical application, esafoxolaner and eprinomectin absorb through the skin and circulate systemically, meaning parasites are exposed to the active compounds through the cat’s bloodstream rather than through surface contact alone.
• Documented speed of flea kill: Laboratory data demonstrate over 92% of adult fleas killed within 24 hours of first application, with flea kill rates of 95.5% or above at 24 hours maintained through Day 31 across subsequent weekly reinfestations.
• Near-complete egg suppression: Flea egg production control reached 99.8% to 100% by 24 hours post-reinfestation and held throughout the monthly dosing interval, effectively interrupting the flea lifecycle in the cat’s environment.
• Non-oral delivery for resistant kittens: Kittens that refuse chewable tablets or exhibit oral dosing stress receive full-spectrum coverage through a single topical deposit at the base of the skull, avoiding gastrointestinal administration entirely.

Caution

Hazards to Humans

NexGard COMBO is not for human use. The formulation may cause mild to moderate eye irritation on contact. Avoid direct skin exposure to the solution, and wash hands with soap and water immediately after applying. Keep applicators out of sight and reach of children. If accidental eye contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water; contact a poison control center or physician if skin or eye irritation develops.

Hazards to Domestic Animals

NexGard COMBO is intended for external topical application on cats only; oral administration causes excessive hypersalivation. The 0.3 mL applicator is designated for cats weighing 1.8 – 5.5 lbs (0.8 – 2.5 kg) at a minimum age of 8 weeks; do not apply to kittens below either threshold. Esafoxolaner is an isoxazoline-class compound, and the FDA has documented an association between this drug class and neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures, even in cats without prior seizure history. Safety has not been fully evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating cats. Consult a veterinarian before initiating treatment in any cat with a known neurologic condition or concurrent medication use.

Possible Side Effects

Watch your cat for any behavioral or physical changes during the first 24 to 48 hours following each NexGard COMBO application.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s field safety study tracked adverse reactions across 244 cats treated with NexGard COMBO over a 90-day period. The following reactions were reported:

• Dermal reactions: Application-site hair change (3.69%), skin peeling (1.23%), localized redness (0.82%), alopecia (0.82%), and dermal thickening (0.82%) occurred at or near the deposit site. These reactions were generally transient.
• Gastrointestinal signs: Vomiting was the most frequently reported systemic reaction at 6.56%, followed by anorexia (2.87%) and diarrhea (1.23%).
• Systemic signs: Lethargy appeared in 2.46% of treated cats, hyperthermia in 1.23%, and hypersalivation in 1.23%. Hypersalivation was most closely linked to cats licking the application site before the product had dried.
• Isoxazoline class notification: FDA labeling for all isoxazoline-class products includes warnings for neurologic events such as tremors, ataxia, and seizures. These events have been reported in cats both with and without prior neurologic history.