Sarolaner: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antiparasitic

Also known as

Simparica

Species with doses

Dogs

General dose range

2–4 mg/kg PO monthly — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Flea infestation — monthly control
• Tick infestation (Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Ixodes, Amblyomma)
• Demodectic / sarcoptic mange (off-label)

Sarolaner 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: Papich 5e: 2 mg/kg PO once monthly (label bands 2–4 mg/kg); also used monthly for Demodex. The combination with moxidectin and pyrantel delivers 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner monthly. Plumb’s 10e p.1146 (label dosage; FDA-approved): minimum 2 mg/kg PO once a month by weight-band tablet; sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel provides minimum 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner + 24 µg/kg moxidectin + 5 mg/kg pyrantel monthly. Cats: neither reference gives a single-agent sarolaner dose — Plumb’s 10e covers cats only as the selamectin/sarolaner combination.
• Generalised demodicosis: Plumb’s 10e p.1146 (extra-label): 2–4 mg/kg PO; 3 to 5 monthly doses achieved parasitological cure in client-owned dogs.
• Sarcoptic mange / Otodectes: Plumb’s 10e p.1146 (extra-label): 2–4 mg/kg PO — Sarcoptes scabiei: 2 doses 30 days apart gave parasitological cure in 100% of dogs; Otodectes cynotis: 1 or 2 doses 30 days apart.
• Myiasis (New World screwworm larvae): Plumb’s 10e p.1146 (extra-label): a single 2 mg/kg dose had a 100% larvicidal effect on Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae after 24 hours.

Contraindications

Caution in dogs with seizure disorders (isoxazoline class effect). Not established < 6 months / < 1.3 kg. Hypersensitivity.

Species-specific warnings

Dogs: Isoxazoline class — tremor / ataxia / seizures reported; caution in dogs with a seizure history.

Adverse effects

• Vomiting, diarrhoea (mild)
• Lethargy, anorexia
• Rare neurological signs (tremor, ataxia, seizure)

Drug interactions

• No significant interactions reported; combined with moxidectin + pyrantel in Simparica Trio
• Highly protein-bound — theoretical displacement only

Pregnancy and lactation

Not established in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs — avoid unless clearly needed.

Monitoring

• Neurological status in epileptic dogs
• Monthly dosing compliance

Toxicity and overdose

Wide safety margin; class-related neurological signs (tremor, ataxia, seizures) are possible, mainly in predisposed dogs.

Clinical pearls

• Fast flea knockdown makes it useful in flea-allergic dogs where speed of kill matters
• Available combined with moxidectin / pyrantel (Simparica Trio) for all-in-one endo/ecto cover
• Standard isoxazoline seizure caution applies

Mechanism of action

Isoxazoline. Selectively blocks arthropod GABA-gated (and glutamate-gated) chloride channels, producing rapid flea and tick death with minimal activity at mammalian channels.

Formulations and products

• Simparica chewable 5–120 mg (by bodyweight band)
• Simparica (Zoetis) — 5 / 10 / 20 / 40 / 80 / 120 mg, Chewable tablet

Storage

Store at room temperature, dry.

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

• Pyrantel pamoate
• Pyrimethamine
• Rafoxanide
• Ronidazole
• Selamectin
• Spinosad
• Toltrazuril
• Triclabendazole

Frequently asked questions