What is the name of a medication against ticks? - briefly
Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, is the standard topical medication used to eliminate and prevent tick infestations in both humans and animals.
What is the name of a medication against ticks? - in detail
Acaricidal products designed to eliminate tick infestations are commonly referred to as tick medications. The most widely used agents fall into three categories: topical spot‑on formulations, oral systemic drugs, and injectable preparations.
Topical spot‑on products contain synthetic pyrethroids or isoxazolines. Examples include:
- Fipronil (e.g., Frontline®) – interferes with GABA‑gated chloride channels, causing paralysis.
- Permethrin (e.g., K9 Advantix®) – a pyrethroid that disrupts sodium channel function.
- Afoxolaner (e.g., NexGard®) – an isoxazoline that blocks GABA and glutamate receptors in arthropods.
- Fluralaner (e.g., Bravecto®) – long‑acting isoxazoline providing up to 12 weeks of protection.
Oral systemic medications are administered as chewable tablets or flavored pills. Key agents are:
- Afoxolaner – rapid absorption, effective against all life stages of ticks.
- Fluralaner – high bioavailability, maintains therapeutic plasma concentrations for several weeks.
- Sarolaner (e.g., Simparica®) – broad‑spectrum activity, effective within 24 hours of administration.
Injectable formulations are less common but include:
- Moxidectin – a macrocyclic lactone administered subcutaneously, primarily used in livestock for tick control.
Dosage recommendations depend on species, weight, and product label. For dogs, a standard dose of afoxolaner is 2.5 mg/kg once monthly; fluralaner is given at 25–56 mg/kg every 12 weeks. Cats receive permethrin‑free formulations, such as selamectin (Revolution®) at 6 mg/kg monthly.
Safety profiles are generally favorable when used as directed. Adverse events may include transient skin irritation for topical agents and mild gastrointestinal upset for oral drugs. Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient and, for permethrin, use in felines.
Resistance monitoring is essential. Field reports indicate emerging tolerance to pyrethroids in certain tick populations, prompting a shift toward isoxazoline‑based products, which exhibit a lower resistance risk due to distinct molecular targets.
In veterinary practice, selection of a tick medication should consider the target species, regional tick species, treatment frequency, and owner compliance. Proper application—full coverage of the skin for spot‑ons, accurate weighing for oral doses, and adherence to retreatment intervals—maximizes efficacy and reduces the likelihood of disease transmission such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, or babesiosis.