Home Drug Guide Lotilaner

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Lotilaner

Brand Names Xdemvy

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiparasitic

Pharmacological: Ectoparasiticide, Insecticide, Acaricide

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) in dogs

Mechanism of Action

Lotilaner is an oral isoxazoline that inhibits ligand-gated chloride channels in the nervous system of insects and arachnids, leading to paralysis and death of fleas.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Once monthly oral dose as directed by veterinarian, typically based on weight.

Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established in puppies under 8 weeks of age or weighing less than 2 kg.

Geriatric: No specific dose adjustments required, but caution advised in elderly animals with comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: No specific dosage adjustments recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: Limited data; use with caution and under veterinary guidance.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid absorption after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed in tissues.

Metabolism: Primarily metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via feces.

Half Life: Approximately 17 days in dogs.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to lotilaner or other isoxazolines.

Precautions

  • Monitor for allergic reactions.
  • Use cautiously in animals with a history of seizures.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Vomiting (Uncommon)
  • Lethargy (Uncommon)
  • Diarrhea (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Seizures (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None well-documented, but caution with other CNS-active drugs.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • None known.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; generally no known interactions.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Evaluate flea infestation severity.

Diagnoses:

  • Parasitic infestation related to flea presence.

Implementation: Administer dose orally as per veterinary instructions.

Evaluation: Monitor for effectiveness in eliminating fleas and for any adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Administer medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Observe for adverse reactions like vomiting or lethargy.
  • Maintain regular dosing schedule.
  • Avoid overdose.
  • Contact veterinarian if any unusual symptoms occur.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently.
  • Monitor for neurological adverse effects in susceptible animals.

Genetic Factors: Limited data.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Vomiting, ataxia, seizures, lethargy.

Treatment: Supportive care, detoxification, and symptomatic management; consult veterinarian immediately.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable unopened; discard after expiration date.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.