BackgroundFluralaner is a novel systemic insecticide and acaricide that provides long acting efficacy in dogs after a single oral treatment. This study investigated the safety of oral administration of fluralaner in chewable tablets to dogs at the highest recommended treatment dose and at multiples of this dose.MethodsThirty-two (16 male and 16 female) healthy 8-week old Beagle dogs weighing 2.0 - 3.6 kg at first administration were included in the study. Fluralaner was administered on three occasions at 8-week intervals at doses of up to 56, 168, and 280 mg fluralaner/kg body weight, equivalent to 1, 3, and 5 times the highest recommended treatment dose of fluralaner; sham dosed dogs served as controls.During the study, all dogs were clinically observed, and their health was carefully monitored including body weight development, food consumption and measurement of hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry (including measurement of levels of ACTH and C-reactive protein) and urinalysis. Following euthanasia of the dogs, complete gross post mortem examination, including organ weight determination, and histopathological examination of multiple tissues were conducted.ResultsThere were no clinical findings related to fluralaner treatment. Statistically significant differences between the treated groups and the control group were observed for some clinical pathology parameters and organ weights; none of these findings were considered to be of clinical relevance.ConclusionsOral administration of fluralaner at the highest recommended treatment dose (56 mg/kg) at 8-week intervals is well tolerated and has a safety margin of more than five in healthy dogs eight weeks of age or older and weighing at least 2 kg.

BackgroundFluralaner is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing long-acting flea- and tick-control after a single oral dose. The pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs may be influenced by feeding. This study investigated the influence of concurrent feeding on fluralaner pharmacokinetics.MethodsTwelve fasted or fed beagles received a single oral administration of 25 mg fluralaner/kg body weight in a chewable tablet. Plasma samples were collected at multiple post-treatment time points for fluralaner concentration analysis. Clinical observations were performed on all dogs at regular intervals throughout the study.ResultsFluralaner was readily absorbed in fasted and fed dogs administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg BW with a similar mean tmax for both groups. In fed dogs, AUC and Cmax were increased compared to fasted dogs by a factor of 2.5 and 2.1 respectively. The difference in AUC and Cmax between the fed and fasted groups was statistically significant. No adverse events were observed following oral fluralaner administration to fasted and fed dogs.ConclusionsFluralaner is absorbed to a considerable extent in fasted and fed dogs. Administration of fluralaner chewable tablets with food significantly increases bioavailability.

BackgroundFluralaner is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing long-acting flea- and tick-control after a single oral dose. This study investigated the safety of oral administration of fluralaner at 3 times the highest expected clinical dose to Multi Drug Resistance Protein 1 (MDR1(-/-)) gene defect Collies.MethodsSixteen Collies homozygous for the MDR1 deletion mutation were included in the study. Eight Collies received fluralaner chewable tablets once at a dose of 168 mg/kg; eight sham dosed Collies served as controls. All Collies were clinically observed until 28 days following treatment.ResultsNo adverse events were observed subsequent to fluralaner treatment of MDR1(-/-) Collies at three times the highest expected clinical dose.ConclusionsFluralaner chewable tablets are well tolerated in MDR1(-/-) Collies following oral administration.

BackgroundFluralaner is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing immediate and persistent flea, tick and mite control after a single oral dose. Ivermectin has been used in dogs for heartworm prevention and at off label doses for mite and worm infestations. Ivermectin pharmacokinetics can be influenced by substances affecting the p-glycoprotein transporter, potentially increasing the risk of ivermectin neurotoxicity. This study investigated ivermectin blood plasma pharmacokinetics following concurrent administration with fluralaner.FindingsTen Beagle dogs each received a single oral administration of either 56 mg fluralaner (Bravecto™), 0.3 mg ivermectin or 56 mg fluralaner plus 0.3 mg ivermectin/kg body weight. Blood plasma samples were collected at multiple post-treatment time points over a 12-week period for fluralaner and ivermectin plasma concentration analysis.Ivermectin blood plasma concentration profile and pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax, tmax, AUC∞ and t½ were similar in dogs administered ivermectin only and in dogs administered ivermectin concurrently with fluralaner, and the same was true for fluralaner pharmacokinetic parameters.ConclusionsConcurrent administration of fluralaner and ivermectin does not alter the pharmacokinetics of either compound. Based on the plasma pharmacokinetic profile and the clinical observations, there is no evident interaction between fluralaner and ivermectin, and co-administration does not increase the risk of ivermectin associated neurotoxicity.

BackgroundBravecto™ (fluralaner; MSD Animal Health) is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing long-acting flea- and tick-control after a single oral dose. Scalibor™ Protectorband (deltamethrin; MSD Animal Health) is a collar often used to reduce sandfly feeding for leishmaniasis prevention. This study investigated the safety of the concurrent use of BravectoTM and ScaliborTM Protectorband at the recommended dosage regimens.FindingsThroughout the study period of 24 weeks, there were no clinical findings related to the concurrent treatment with Bravecto™ in dogs fitted with Scalibor™ Protectorband at the recommended dosage regimen.ConclusionsConcurrent treatment with Bravecto™ in dogs fitted with Scalibor™ Protectorband is well tolerated.