Lotilaner: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antiparasitic

Also known as

Credelio, Credelio Cat

Species with doses

Dogs and Cats

General dose range

20 mg/kg PO monthly — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Monthly flea (Ctenocephalides) treatment and prevention
• Monthly tick treatment/prevention (incl. species transmitting Lyme/ehrlichiosis/babesiosis)
• Flea-allergy dermatitis control
• Demodicosis and sarcoptic mange (off-label, isoxazoline class)

Lotilaner dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Flea/tick control (monthly): Papich 5e: 20 mg/kg PO once monthly, with food or within 30 minutes after feeding (Credelio weight-band chewables deliver at least 20 mg/kg). Plumb’s 10e p.784 (label dosage; FDA-approved): minimum 20 mg/kg PO once a month with food, for dogs ≥8 weeks and ≥2 kg. Isoxazoline — caution in dogs with a seizure history.
• Generalised demodicosis / sarcoptic mange: Plumb’s 10e p.784 (extra-label): demodicosis — minimum 20 mg/kg PO once every 4 weeks for 3 treatments; sarcoptic mange — the label dose once every 4 weeks for 3 treatments.

Cats

• Flea/tick control (monthly): Plumb’s 10e p.784 (label dosage; FDA-approved): minimum 6 mg/kg PO once a month (Credelio Cat, weight-band tablets) — fleas in cats and kittens ≥8 weeks and ≥0.9 kg; Ixodes scapularis ticks in cats ≥6 months and ≥0.9 kg. Papich 5e gives no cat dose (it predates the feline product).
• Flea and tick infestations (extra-label range): Plumb’s 10e p.784 (extra-label): 6–24 mg/kg PO once a month with food for cats ≥8 weeks and ≥0.5 kg.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity. Use with caution in dogs/cats with a history of seizures (isoxazoline class neurologic-effect labelling). Give with food (absorption). Below the label minimum age/weight.

Species-specific warnings

Dogs: Isoxazoline class — use thoughtfully in dogs with a seizure history (rare reports of tremor/ataxia/seizures).

Adverse effects

• Very well tolerated; occasional vomiting/diarrhoea, lethargy, anorexia
• Rare neurologic signs (tremor, ataxia, seizure) — isoxazoline class caution
• Pruritus/skin reaction (uncommon)

Drug interactions

• No significant systemic drug interactions reported
• Compatible with most concurrent medications, vaccines and other parasiticides

Pregnancy and lactation

Safety in breeding/pregnant/lactating animals per product label — generally not established; use if clearly needed.

Monitoring

• Flea/tick control efficacy; compliance (monthly, with food)
• Neurologic signs (especially in seizure-history patients)
• For demodicosis (off-label): skin scrapes / clinical response over months

Toxicity and overdose

Very wide margin; overdose is generally well tolerated (GI signs). The class-labelled concern is rare neurologic effects (muscle tremor, ataxia, seizures), so dogs/cats with a seizure history warrant a considered choice. No characteristic organ toxicity.

Management: No specific antidote. Supportive care; control any neurologic signs (benzodiazepines for seizures). Effects resolve as the drug is cleared. Decontaminate very large recent ingestions.

Clinical pearls

• A fast, palatable monthly oral flea/tick isoxazoline — give WITH food for absorption
• Like its class-mates, an effective off-label treatment for demodicosis and sarcoptic mange at the standard monthly dose
• Wide safety margin, but heed the class's rare neurologic caution in dogs/cats with a seizure history
• Treat all pets and pair with environmental control for flea-allergy cases

Mechanism of action

An isoxazoline that selectively blocks invertebrate ligand-gated chloride channels — principally GABA-gated (and glutamate-gated) chloride channels in flea/tick nerve and muscle — causing uncontrolled neuronal excitation, paralysis and death of the parasite. Its high selectivity for insect/acarine over mammalian channels gives a wide mammalian safety margin; the class's rare CNS effects reflect activity at host GABA channels at extreme exposure.

Formulations and products

• Chewable tablet (dogs, weight bands) min 20 mg/kg
• Tablet (cats, weight bands) min ~6 mg/kg
• Credelio (Elanco) — Lotilaner chewable (dogs) / tablet (cats), weight bands, Chewable / tablet

Storage

Tablets/chewables: 15–30 °C, dry, keep in original packaging away from pets (palatable — accidental over-ingestion).

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other antiparasitics

• Imidocarb Dipropionate
• Ivermectin
• Levamisole
• Levamisole + Oxyclozanide
• Lufenuron
• Mebendazole
• Meglumine Antimoniate
• Melarsomine

Frequently asked questions