What Are Credelio Products for Fleas, Ticks, Heartworms, and Intestinal Parasites?
The Credelio line of products for fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites in dogs and cats (manufactured by Elanco) are chewable tablets for both dogs and cats. Credelio products are approved by the FDA for various parasites in dogs and cats depending on which product is being used. These include:
- Treatment and prevention of flea infestations
- Treatment and control of various ticks
- Prevention of heartworm disease
- Treatment of intestinal roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms
Credelio (for dogs) and Credelio Cat (for cats) are oral medications for treatment of adult fleas. Credelio also treats and controls four types of ticks in dogs. Credelio Cat also treats and controls one type of tick in cats. Both products contain the active ingredient lotilaner. Lotilaner does not treat flea eggs, larvae (immature fleas), or fleas in the pet’s environment.
Lotilaner can be used “extra-label” to treat generalized demodicosis (Demodex mite) and sarcoptic mange (Scabies mite) in dogs. “Extra-label” or “off-label” use means that there is evidence of safe and effective use even though the use may not be FDA-approved. Lotilaner can also be used extra-label to treat ear mites in dogs and cats.
Credelio Quattro for dogs contains lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel. Credelio Quattro is used for the prevention of heartworm disease, the treatment and control of roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworms, treatment and prevention of flea infestations, and the treatment and control of four species of ticks in dogs and puppies.
Lotilaner is classified as an isoxazoline ectoparasiticide for treating and preventing fleas and ticks. Moxidectin is classified as a macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic for preventing heartworm disease and treating intestinal roundworms and hookworms. Praziquantel is an anticestodal antiparasitic in dogs for deworming multiple species of tapeworms. Pyrantel is a cholinergic agonist anthelmintic for the removal of roundworms and hookworms.
Credelio products are very well tolerated in animals. There is minimal risk for overdose, severe side effects, or drug interactions. Credelio and Credelio Cat will start to treat adult fleas in 8 to 12 hours. It will start killing attached ticks in 48 to 72 hours. Credelio Quattro will start to kill fleas and ticks within 4 hours. Credelio Quattro is effective against heartworm disease from the first dose.
Credelio products are available with a prescription from your veterinarian or online veterinary pharmacy. They are available as chewable tablets.
How Are Credelio Products Used in Pets?
Credelio products are chewable tablets given by mouth. Dogs and puppies should weigh at least 4.4 pounds and be at least 8 weeks old before taking Credelio. Cats and kittens should weigh at least 2 pounds and be at least 8 weeks old before taking Credelio Cat. Dogs and puppies should weigh at least 3.3 pounds and be at least 8 weeks old before taking Credelio Quattro. All animals in the household should be treated at the same time to decrease the chances of fleas returning.
Credelio and Credelio Quattro are the products for dogs and Credelio Cat is the product for cats. Credelio products for dogs should not be given to cats and vice versa.
For best results, give Credelio products every 30 days (monthly) without stopping.
Credelio products must be given with a small amount of food or within 30 minutes of the pet eating. Make sure the entire chewable tablet is eaten. If the dog or cat vomits within 2 hours after getting Credelio or Credelio Cat, another full dose needs to be given. If the dog or puppy vomits within 1 hour after taking Credelio Quattro, another full dose needs to be given.
Always follow your veterinarian’s directions for giving medicines to animals. Remember to tell your veterinarian about any medicines, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies that you are giving your pet. Talk to your veterinarian before stopping any pet medicines.
What Are the Benefits of Credelio Products for Pets?
The benefits of Credelio products include:
- Lotilaner is well tolerated by animals, including puppies and kittens.
- Lotilaner is FDA-approved for use in dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens.
- Lotilaner starts to kill fleas and ticks in four hours in dogs.
- Lotilaner starts to kill fleas in six hours in cats.
- You only have to give one chewable tablet every 30 days.
- The risk for drug interactions is very low.
- Credelio Quattro is licensed by the FDA to protect against fleas, various ticks, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and various tapeworms in dogs and puppies.
What Follow-Up Is Required With Credelio Products?
You and your veterinarian should monitor your pet for improvement of their condition, as well as for side effects of the medicine. You should watch for signs of improvement such as fewer live adult fleas and ticks, less itching, and less scratching. If Credelio products are used extra-label to treat ear mites, your veterinarian may need to recheck an ear swab to make sure the mites are gone. If Credelio products are used extra-label for mites, follow-up skin tests may be done by your veterinarian. If Credelio Quattro is used for intestinal parasites, follow-up fecal (stool) tests may be checked.
Before giving Credelio Quattro, dogs need to have a negative heartworm test. The heartworm test should then be repeated yearly. If there are missed doses of Credelio Quattro, check with your veterinarian about when your dog should have a heartworm test rechecked.
Do Credelio Products Have Warnings or Side Effects?
Do not use Credelio products in animals that are allergic to them. Do not use Credelio in dogs that weigh less than 4.4 pounds or are less than 8 weeks old. Do not use Credelio Quattro in dogs that weigh less than 3.3 pounds or are less than 8 weeks old. Do not use Credelio Cat in cats that weigh less than 2 pounds or are less than 8 weeks old. Use Credelio products with caution in animals that have a history of seizures (epilepsy) or are in poor body condition (underweight, old, or debilitated). Use with caution in breeding, pregnant, or nursing pets.
Credelio products are usually well-tolerated in animals. Side effects in dogs and cats may include:
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea or loose stool
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Skin issues or dermatitis (redness and itching)
While there is a low risk for serious side effects, this can happen with Credelio products. Serious side effects can include the following.
- Seizures or tremors
- Difficulty breathing
- Incoordination (difficulty walking)
- Severe vomiting
If you suspect that your pet is having a serious side effect or may have been overdosed, call your veterinary clinic immediately. If it is outside of regular office hours, you may contact a local emergency veterinary hospital or an animal poison control center. Note that fees may apply for emergency consultation.
You can reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Do Credelio Products Interact With Other Medicines (Drug Interactions)?
Using multiple medicines can sometimes change how your pet’s medicines work or increase your pet’s risk for serious side effects. Always tell your veterinarian about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements that your pet is using.
There is a low risk of Credelio products interacting with other medicines in dogs and cats. No adverse effects were seen when Credelio Quattro was used at the same time with vaccines, antibiotics, anti-worm medicines, medicines for vomiting, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anesthetics, and pain medicines.
Some medicines that may interact with the ingredients in Credelio Quattro are benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), and levamisole. Other medicines to use cautiously with Credelio Quattro are phenobarbital, “azole” antifungals such as itraconazole or ketoconazole, cyclosporine, diltiazem, and erythromycin.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Credelio Quattro. Always check with your veterinarian.
Are There Safety Concerns for Pet Owners?
- Keep Credelio products out of reach of children.
- Wash your hands after giving Credelio products to your pet.
- Do not handle Credelio products if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the products.
What if My Pet Takes Too Much or Overdoses?
The chances of your dog or cat overdosing on lotilaner are low. But if you think they’re having a bad reaction to lotilaner, call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic right away.
If you missed giving your cat or dog their dose of lotilaner, give them the dose as soon as you remember and start a new 30-day schedule. So if you remember on Oct. 12 that you forgot to give your dog their regular dose on Oct. 1, give them the dose on Oct. 12 and give the next dose on Nov. 12. Don’t give your dog two doses.
Credelio products are very well tolerated by animals and the risk of an overdose is low. If you are concerned your pet is having an adverse reaction or if you suspect your pet has taken more lotilaner than prescribed, call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic immediately.
What if my Pet Misses a Dose?
If your pet misses a dose, give the dose when you remember and then restart the monthly schedule from that dose. Do not double the medication dose. If you have forgotten to give your dog or puppy Credelio Quattro, contact your veterinarian about when your dog will need to have a heartworm test performed. It takes six months from the bite of an infected mosquito until a dog may test positive for heartworm disease.
How Do I Store Credelio Products?
Store Credelio products in the original foil packet at room temperature. Protect them from light.
