Nitenpyram
Encyclopedia
Nitenpyram is an insecticide
used in agriculture
and veterinary medicine to kill insect external parasites of livestock
and pet
s.
In veterinary medicine, it is used orally with dogs and cats to control fleas (often under the trade name Capstar). After ingestion, it begins killing fleas within 30 minutes and kills every adult flea
on the pet within 4 hours. The effects of this pill are approximately 24-48 hours. Nitenpyram is safe to use on puppies and kittens as young as four weeks old so long as they weigh at least 2 pound (0.90718474 kg). However, panting and excitement have been noted in cats within 2 hours of Capstar administration.
Nitenpyram is a neonicotinoid, which means that it is a neurotoxin
that blocks the ability for neural messages to transmit through the central nervous system
of the flea causing (almost) instant death.
It has no long-term residual activity and therefore is not effective as a longer-term flea preventative. It is usually used to kill adult fleas quickly on an infested animal to give immediate relief for a day. It is then usually followed up with some other longer-term flea preventative to prevent reinfestation. In heavily infested animals, it can cause extreme itching as the fleas die; this almost always resolves on its own.
It is often used as part of the protocol in treating environmental infestations.
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
used in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and veterinary medicine to kill insect external parasites of livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and pet
Pet
A pet is a household animal kept for companionship and a person's enjoyment, as opposed to wild animals or to livestock, laboratory animals, working animals or sport animals, which are kept for economic or productive reasons. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful...
s.
In veterinary medicine, it is used orally with dogs and cats to control fleas (often under the trade name Capstar). After ingestion, it begins killing fleas within 30 minutes and kills every adult flea
Flea
Flea is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood...
on the pet within 4 hours. The effects of this pill are approximately 24-48 hours. Nitenpyram is safe to use on puppies and kittens as young as four weeks old so long as they weigh at least 2 pound (0.90718474 kg). However, panting and excitement have been noted in cats within 2 hours of Capstar administration.
Nitenpyram is a neonicotinoid, which means that it is a neurotoxin
Neurotoxin
A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells , usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels. Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue...
that blocks the ability for neural messages to transmit through the central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
of the flea causing (almost) instant death.
It has no long-term residual activity and therefore is not effective as a longer-term flea preventative. It is usually used to kill adult fleas quickly on an infested animal to give immediate relief for a day. It is then usually followed up with some other longer-term flea preventative to prevent reinfestation. In heavily infested animals, it can cause extreme itching as the fleas die; this almost always resolves on its own.
It is often used as part of the protocol in treating environmental infestations.
External links
- Capstar website
- Freedom of Information summary (NADA 141-053), US Food and Drug Administration