A randomized, blinded, controlled and multi-centered field study comparing the efficacy and safety of Bravecto™ (fluralaner) against Frontline™ (fipronil) in flea- and tick-infested dogs

Abstract

BackgroundFluralaner, a new molecular entity of the isoxazoline class, has potent insecticidal and acaricidal activity and can be safely administered orally to dogs.MethodsA randomized, investigator-blinded, multi-centered field study compared the flea- and tick-control efficacy for dogs over a 12-week period with either a single oral dose of Bravecto™ (fluralaner) formulated as a chewable tablet or with three sequential topical Frontline™ (fipronil) treatments. Individual dogs were the experimental unit for ticks and households were the experimental unit for fleas. A total of 108 tick-infested dogs were treated with Bravecto™ (fluralaner) and 54 tick-infested dogs were treated with Frontline™ (fipronil). Dogs in 115 flea-infested households received Bravecto™ (fluralaner) and dogs in 61 flea-infested households received Frontline™ (fipronil). Flea and tick counts were conducted on all dogs at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 following initial treatment and efficacy was calculated as the mean percent reduction in tick or flea count at each time point compared with the mean pretreatment initiation count for each treatment group. Additionally, the percentages of tick-free and flea-free households were determined.ResultsAt weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12, Bravecto™ (fluralaner) flea-control efficacy in treated households was 99.2%, 99.8%, 99.8%, and 99.9% respectively, while Frontline™ (fipronil) efficacy was 94.1%, 93.0%, 96.0%, and 97.3%, respectively. Bravecto™ (fluralaner) tick-control efficacy on treated dogs at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 was 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.7%, and 100%, respectively, and Frontline™ (fipronil) tick efficacy was 97.6%, 93.8%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Of dogs showing clinical flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) signs at the study start, 85.7% in the Bravecto™ (fluralaner)-treated group and 55.6% in the Frontline™ (fipronil)-treated group were evaluated at each time point as showing no clinical signs of FAD until study completion.ConclusionsBravecto™ (fluralaner) administered once orally to dogs in a chewable tablet was highly effective for 12 weeks against fleas and ticks on privately-owned dogs and was significantly non-inferior (ticks) and superior (fleas) in comparison with topical Frontline™ (fipronil) administered 3 times sequentially.

Results from a U.S. Dog Owner Survey on the Treatment Satisfaction and Preference for Fluralaner against Flea and Tick Infestations

“…Poor compliance is a leading cause of treatment failure in F/T and HW control as has been shown for other therapeutic regimens [14][15][16][17]. Compliance shortfalls are primarily influenced by the complexity and convenience of the therapeutic protocol.…”

Data collection for risk assessments on animal health (Acronym: DACRAH) : Final Report

“…The European Food Safety Authority reserves its rights, view and position as regards the issues addressed and the conclusions reached in the present document, without prejudice to the rights of the authors. Impregnated clothing EcoSMART had a repellent efficacy of 0.65 7 days post application (Bonneau et al, 2015) A combination of fipronil 6.1% and permethrin 54.5% had an efficacy of 0.95 37 days posttreatment (Rohdich et al, 2014) Fipronil still had an efficacy of 1 84 days posttreatment A combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene had an efficacy of 1…”

“…External usecollar/ear tag Collars treated with diazinon offered an efficacy of 0.8 240 days after application Fluralaner (Rohdich et al, 2014) Oral (unspecified) Efficacy of 1 84 days post-treatment Imidacloprid EC 428-040-8 (Stanneck et al, 2012b) Substance is very toxic to aquatic life, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects and is harmful if swallowed.…”

Reply to Letter to the Editor

“…It was designed to answer the simple hypothesis: that a higher dose and longer duration efficacy (3 months) product against fleas would have a less homogeneous speed of effect, than repeated use of a lower dosed formulation providing one month of efficacy. Based on published data (2 - Kilp et al, 2014;Rohdich et al, 2014;Taenzler et al, 2014;Williams et al, 2014), the fluralaner persistent speed of effect should be good for several weeks. We thus decided not to start flea infestations before Day 42.…”