What is Afoxolaner used for?

Afoxolaner is indicated for: Flea and tick prevention, Mite infestation (Ophionyssus natricis), Snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis) infestation.

Which species have cited Afoxolaner dosing data?

Afoxolaner dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 7 species: Argentine Tegu, Blue-tongue Skink, Boa Constrictor, Corn Snake, Dog (Domestic), Kingsnake, Milk Snake.

Is Afoxolaner a controlled substance?

Afoxolaner is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the side effects of Afoxolaner?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Afoxolaner: FDA-approved for dogs. Seizure potential in dogs with neurologic history. Not for use in puppies <8 weeks or <1.8kg. Dogs only (not cats).

Afoxolaner

US brand names:NexGard

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Afoxolaner is dosed at 2.5 mg/kg PO single dose in argentine tegus, per Mendoza-Roldan JA, Perles L, Miuli C, et al. Efficacy and safety of afoxolaner (NexGard) in a collection of captive-bred lizards for the treatment and control of mite infestations. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025;27:101103. doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101103 https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12219374. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antiparasitic

Routes

Indications

Flea and tick prevention

Mechanism of Action

Isoxazoline ectoparasiticide blocking GABA and glutamate-gated chloride channels in arthropods. Monthly flea and tick protection.

Side effects & warnings

FDA-approved for dogs. Seizure potential in dogs with neurologic history. Not for use in puppies <8 weeks or <1.8kg. Dogs only (not cats).

Evidence levels across 7 dose rules

Strong×1Moderate×4Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 5 published sources

· Afoxolaner (NexGard®) in pet snakes for the treatment and control of Ophionyssus natricis (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae). Parasites & Vectors, 2022. DOI 10.1186/s13071-022-05611-1; PMID 36609309; PMCID PMC9825044. URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9825044/
· Mendoza-Roldan JA, Napoli E, Perles L, et al. Afoxolaner (NexGard) in pet snakes for the treatment and control of Ophionyssus natricis (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae). Parasit Vectors. 2023;16(1):6. doi:10.1186/s13071-022-05611-1 https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9825044
· Mendoza-Roldan JA, Perles L, Miuli C, Larichiutta P, Legrottaglie M, Bezerra-Santos MA, Samarelli R, Berny P, Beugnet F, Otranto D. Efficacy and safety of afoxolaner (NexGard®) in a collection of captive-bred lizards for the treatment and control of mite infestation. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025;27:101103.

Sample dosing (1 of 7 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 7 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	2.5–6.3 mg/kg	q30 days	Strong	Nexgard - Afoxolaner Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label for Dogs]. Boehringer Ingelheim; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=48dd3eaa-18e3-430d-ad40-a964b591fb16 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.44 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.16, Afoxolaner monograph spanning p.16-17; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

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· Mendoza-Roldan JA, Perles L, Miuli C, et al. Efficacy and safety of afoxolaner (NexGard) in a collection of captive-bred lizards for the treatment and control of mite infestations. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2025;27:101103. doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101103 https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12219374

· Nexgard - Afoxolaner Tablet, Chewable [US Product Label for Dogs]. Boehringer Ingelheim; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=48dd3eaa-18e3-430d-ad40-a964b591fb16 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.44 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.16, Afoxolaner monograph spanning p.16-17; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207