Simparica or Bravecto for fleas and ticks: which is better? - briefly
Both medications achieve >95% efficacy against fleas and ticks; Bravecto is administered orally every 12 weeks, whereas Simparica requires a monthly dose, making Bravecto the more convenient option for most pet owners.
Simparica or Bravecto for fleas and ticks: which is better? - in detail
Simparica (sarolaner) and Bravecto (fluralaner) are oral acaricides approved for canine flea and tick control. Both belong to the isoxazoline class, but they differ in pharmacokinetics, dosing intervals, and spectrum of activity.
Sarolaner is administered once monthly at a dose of 2 mg/kg. Peak plasma concentrations occur within 2 hours, and therapeutic levels are maintained for the full 30‑day period. The product eliminates adult fleas within 8 hours and kills most tick species (including Ixodes scapularis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Dermacentor variabilis) within 24 hours after attachment.
Fluralaner is given as a single chewable tablet or spot‑on formulation every 12 weeks, using a dose of 25 mg/kg (chewable) or 25 mg/kg (spot‑on). Blood levels remain effective for at least 84 days. Flea kill time is 4 hours, and tick mortality is achieved within 12 hours for the same species listed above. The extended interval reduces the frequency of owner administration.
Key comparative points:
- Dosing frequency – monthly vs. quarterly; fewer administrations lower the risk of missed doses.
- Onset of action – Bravecto acts faster against fleas; both products achieve rapid tick kill, with Bravecto slightly quicker.
- Spectrum – both cover the major tick vectors; Bravecto shows additional activity against Amblyomma americanum and Otodectes cynotis (ear mite) in some studies.
- Safety profile – adverse events are rare for both. Reported side effects include transient vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Bravecto has a documented incidence of transient alopecia at the spot‑on site; oral formulation avoids this.
- Contraindications – not recommended for dogs <8 weeks (Simparica) or <6 months (Bravecto). Both should be used cautiously in dogs with a history of seizures; sarolaner carries a label warning for dogs with known neurologic disorders.
- Cost considerations – monthly Simparica generally costs more per year than a three‑dose Bravecto regimen, though price variations exist by region and retailer.
- Resistance data – current literature shows no confirmed resistance in field populations for either compound; ongoing monitoring is advised.
Clinical studies indicate that both agents achieve >95 % efficacy against fleas and >90 % efficacy against ticks when administered according to label instructions. Choice of product often hinges on owner preference for dosing schedule, specific tick species of concern, and individual dog health status.