What is selamectin?
Selamectin (brand names: Revolution®, Paradyne®, Stronghold®, Chanhold®) is an avermectin antiparasitic used topically to treat parasites in dogs and cats. When used in dogs, parasites treated by selamectin include fleas, heartworms, ear mites, scabies, and certain ticks. When used in cats, parasites treated by selamectin include fleas, heartworms, ear mites, hookworms, and roundworms, with some possible effectiveness against ear mites. It has also been used to treat notoedric mange, nasal mites, and cordylobiolosis.
Its use in cats, dogs, and other small mammals to treat certain parasites is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions very carefully as their direction may be significantly different from those on the label.
How Revolution® and Revolution® Plus Works
The active ingredient in Revolution® is selamectin. Selamectin works by creating an electrolyte imbalance in the nerve and muscle cells of heartworms, which causes paralysis and death.
Revolution® Plus is a combination medication, intended for use in cats, that adds an additional ingredient, sarolaner. Sarolaner is in a class of medications called isoxazolines. Isoxazolines eliminate fleas and ticks by overexciting their nervous system, causing paralysis and death. In cats, this medication works within the first few hours after administration to kill fleas present on your pet.
Revolution® and Revolution® Plus are given once a month and the schedule should follow as close to every 30 days as possible in between doses. Follow the directions on the drug label of the species-specific product or as provided by your veterinarian.
Topical versions of this product should be applied to the skin after the fur has been parted. Apply the full contents of the product applicator to one location on the skin between the shoulder blades in dogs and at the base of the neck in cats. After application, stiff or clumping hair, hair discoloration or a powdery residue may be observed at the application site.
Do not apply Revolution® products to wet fur or skin. Wait 2 hours after applying Revolution® or Revolution® Plus before giving your dog a bath. Waiting 24 hours after applying Revolution® or Revolution® Plus to give your cat a bath is recommended. Do not allow your pet to ingest this medication.
Missed a Dose?
If you forget to give a dose of Revolution® or Revolution® Plus, give it when you remember. Revolution® or Revolution® Plus are given once a month and the schedule should follow as close to every 30 days as possible in between doses. If your veterinarian has directed you to give this medication on a different dosing schedule, please contact them for further instructions if a dose was missed.
Do not give extra or double doses.
Dogs:
Revolution kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month and is indicated for the prevention and control of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, and the treatment and control of ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) infestations. Revolution also is indicated for the treatment and control of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) and for the control of tick infestations due to Dermacentor variabilis.