The Advantage family of flea treatments is widely considered to be one of the safest and most effective on the market. As with any drug, there can be side effects. The following side effects were reported during a field study of Advantage Multi, which combines a flea treatment, a parasite treatment and a heartworm preventer. The study's test group of 128 dogs received Advantage Multi, while the control group of 68 dogs received a placebo.
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Pruritus
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Pruritus, or itching, was the most commonly reported side effect. It was reported in 19 dogs from the test group (14.8%) compared to 7 dogs in the control group (10.3%).
Residue
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Some owners reported a lingering residue after application. This occurred in 9 dogs, or 7%, in the test group and 5 dogs, or 7.4%, in the control group.
Medicinal Odor
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Five owners reported a medicinal odor on their dogs after applying Advantage Multi. No owners reported an odor after applying the placebo.
Lethargy
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One dog in each of the groups was reported to suffer from lethargy.
Inappetence
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One dog in each of the groups experienced a lack of appetite, or inappetence.
Hyperactivity
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One dog in the test group experienced hyperactivity. None was reported in the control group.
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