1. Academic Validation
  2. Toxicology of avermectins and milbemycins (macrocylic lactones) and the role of P-glycoprotein in dogs and cats

Toxicology of avermectins and milbemycins (macrocylic lactones) and the role of P-glycoprotein in dogs and cats

  • Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012 Mar;42(2):313-33, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.12.005.
Valentina M Merola 1 Paul A Eubig
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 1717 South Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. valentina.merola@aspca.org
Abstract

The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are parasiticides able to kill a wide variety of arthropods and nematodes. They have a high margin of safety for labeled indications, and ivermectin has become the best-selling antiparasitic in the world. Dogs of certain breeds and mixtures of those breeds have a defect in the ABCB1 gene (formerly MDR1 gene) that results in a lack of functional P-glycoprotein, which leads to accumulation of the MLs in the central nervous system and a higher risk of adverse effects when exposed. There is no specific antidote for ML toxicosis so the most important part of treatment is good supportive care.

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