# Lotilaner: veterinary dose and monograph

> Lotilaner is a veterinary antiparasitic. An isoxazoline oral ectoparasiticide (Credelio) for monthly FLEA and TICK control in dogs and cats — fast-acting, palatable chewable (dogs) / tablet (cats), given with food for absorption. Indications include monthly flea (Ctenocephalides) treatment and prevention; monthly tick treatment/prevention (incl. species transmitting Lyme/ehrlichiosis/babesiosis); flea-allergy dermatitis control. This monograph lists 4 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lotilaner · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Lotilaner doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flea/tick control (monthly) | 20 mg/kg | PO | monthly | — |
| Generalised demodicosis / sarcoptic mange | 20 mg/kg | PO | every 4 weeks × 3 treatments | — |

- 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

*Lotilaner doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flea/tick control (monthly) | 6 mg/kg | PO | monthly | — |
| Flea and tick infestations (extra-label range) | 6–24 mg/kg | PO | monthly, with food | — |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

> **Caution:** 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](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/imidocarb)
- [Ivermectin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ivermectin)
- [Levamisole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/levamisole)
- [Levamisole + Oxyclozanide](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/levamisole-oxyclozanide)
- [Lufenuron](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/lufenuron)
- [Mebendazole](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/mebendazole)
- [Meglumine Antimoniate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/meglumine-antimoniate)
- [Melarsomine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/melarsomine)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Lotilaner for dogs?

Reference doses for Lotilaner in dogs: 20 mg/kg PO monthly (Flea/tick control (monthly)); 20 mg/kg PO every 4 weeks × 3 treatments (Generalised demodicosis / sarcoptic mange). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Lotilaner for cats?

Reference doses for Lotilaner in cats: 6 mg/kg PO monthly (Flea/tick control (monthly)); 6–24 mg/kg PO monthly, with food (Flea and tick infestations (extra-label range)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Lotilaner not be used?

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. 

### What are the side effects of Lotilaner in animals?

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

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

---

VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.