Simparica For Dogs 5.6-11 lbs (2.6-5 kg)

Description

Simparica For Dogs 5.6-11 lbs (2.6-5 kg) is a monthly oral chewable tablet manufactured by Zoetis, covering fleas and six tick species in a single dose. The 5.6–11 lbs variant delivers 10 mg sarolaner per tablet, calibrated to a minimum effective dose of approximately 0.91 mg/lb (2 mg/kg) across the 2.6–5 kg bracket. The flavored format is accepted by most dogs without the coat manipulation or skin contact required by topical application.

Recommended for

Dogs weighing 5.6–11 lbs (2.6–5 kg), 6 months of age and older.

Indication/Coverage

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

• Flea treatment and prevention: Kills adult Ctenocephalides felis and prevents reinfestation; flea egg deposition is suppressed for at least 35 days following each dose.
• Lone star tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Amblyomma americanum infestations; efficacy is maintained for 30 days per monthly dose.
• Gulf Coast tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Amblyomma maculatum infestations for one month per dose.
• American dog tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Dermacentor variabilis infestations for one month per dose.
• Black-legged tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Ixodes scapularis infestations for one month; also indicated for prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi infection through elimination of the tick vector before transmission occurs.
• Brown dog tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestations for one month per dose.
• Asian longhorned tick treatment and control: Eliminates adult Haemaphysalis longicornis infestations for one month per dose.

Key Benefits

The following apply to the 5.6–11 lbs (2.6–5 kg) tablet based on Zoetis-labeled efficacy data:

• Age and weight entry point: The 5.6–11 lb tablet is appropriate from exactly 5.6 lbs (2.6 kg) and 6 months of age, with the 10 mg dose delivering the full minimum therapeutic concentration at the upper boundary of this weight range.
• Six-species tick coverage: A single monthly tablet addresses Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Haemaphysalis longicornis, covering both established and regionally expanding tick populations.
• Rapid flea kill onset: Laboratory data confirm flea kill begins within 3 hours of the initial dose, with 96.2% or greater reduction achieved within 8 hours post-infestation.
• Flea reproductive disruption: Sarolaner kills fleas before egg deposition for at least 35 days, breaking the environmental reinfestation cycle rather than addressing adult parasites on the host alone.
• Lyme disease risk reduction: By eliminating Ixodes scapularis before the Borrelia burgdorferi transmission threshold is reached, Simparica provides documented protection against Lyme disease in endemic areas.
• Sustained field efficacy: In a 90-day U.S. field study, Simparica achieved 99.4% flea reduction at Day 30, 99.8% at Day 60, and 100% at Day 90 across consecutive monthly treatments.
• Oral delivery advantage: Chewable tablet administration eliminates coat-condition variables that affect topical spot-on absorption, making it particularly suitable for dogs with dense undercoats or water-exposed lifestyles.

Caution

Hazards to Humans

Keep the tablet away from children. If accidentally swallowed by a person, seek medical attention immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the tablet, and avoid contact with food, food preparation areas, or animal feed.

Hazards to Domestic Animals

For oral administration in dogs only; not for use in cats. This tablet is labeled for dogs 6 months of age and older, with a minimum weight of 5.6 lbs (2.6 kg). Consult a veterinarian before use in debilitated, aged, pregnant, or nursing animals. Individual sensitivity reactions have been reported on rare occasions. Sarolaner is an isoxazoline-class compound; the FDA has mandated neurological adverse event warnings across all isoxazoline-class labels since 2018. Dogs with a prior seizure history or active neurological condition should not receive this tablet without prior veterinary clearance. Drug interaction data for concurrent medications remains limited; seek veterinary guidance before combining with other therapies.

Possible Side Effects

Monitor your dog for at least 24 hours after each monthly dose, with close attention during the first 3 hours following administration when sarolaner plasma concentrations are rising toward peak levels.

The following adverse reactions have been identified from Zoetis clinical trial data and post-approval FDA CVM reporting, listed in decreasing order of frequency:

• Vomiting: Recorded in 0.95% of Simparica-treated dogs in the controlled U.S. field study; observe for vomiting within the first 3 hours of administration, when absorption is still in progress, and watch for any adverse reactions over the following 24 hours; contact your veterinarian if either occurs.
• Diarrhea: Reported in 0.63% of treated dogs during clinical trials; bloody diarrhea has additionally been documented through post-approval surveillance.
• Lethargy: Observed in 0.32% of treated dogs in the field study and confirmed through post-market adverse event reports.
• Neurologic signs: Tremors, ataxia, decreased conscious proprioception, and seizures have been reported across the isoxazoline class, including in dogs with no prior seizure history; this risk applies to the 5.6–11 lb weight band.
• Additional post-approval events: Anorexia, pruritus, hypersalivation, and hyperactivity have been captured through FDA CVM adverse drug experience reporting for sarolaner.

Discontinue use and consult a veterinarian if any sign persists or worsens.