Chew on this: New oral feline flea preventive approved

Last month, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine approved Credelio CAT (lotilaner—Elanco US), an oral product that kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) for one month in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 2 lb.

The chewable tablets will be available by prescription only and must be given with food. Credelio Cat will be sold in two sizes: 12 mg lotilaner for cats weighing 2 to 4 lb, and 48 mg lotilaner for cats weighing 4.1 to 17 lb. Cats weighing over 17 lb can be a given the appropriate combination of tablets.

According to the product’s Freedom of Information Summary, the effectiveness of Credelio Cat was demonstrated in three laboratory studies and one field study enrolling a total of 40 laboratory cats and 228 client-owned cats. These studies showed that Credelio Cat is effective for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations for one month. The most common adverse reactions included weight loss, tachypnea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and elevated blood urea nitrogen.

Credelio Cat was launched in Europe just over a year ago for the treatment and prevention of both flea and tick infestations in cats.

Lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio CAT, falls into the isoxazoline class of compounds that are the latest parasiticides for use in companion animals. (Others include afoxolaner, fluralaner and sarolaner.) These drugs kill fleas by targeting nervous system receptors. In 2018, the FDA warned veterinarians and pet owners to be aware of the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats treated with drugs in the isoxazoline class.

Elanco has not specified when Credelio Cat will be available in the United States. Keri McGrath Happe, Elanco’s head of North American communications, says, “While we’re excited at the potential Credelio Cat has to offer cat and kitten owners, we can’t speculate as to the exact launch timing as there are additional opportunities we are pursuing for the brand prior to commercial launch.”