Capstar for Cats: A Medication to Treat Fleas

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When your cat develops a serious flea infestation, it's only natural to want the fleas gone quickly. In the case of a heavy flea infestation, fleas can suck so much blood that they make cats anemic. Therefore, you want to kill the fleas as fast as possible.

Long-acting flea preventatives are often recommended to control fleas. However, these preventatives may take hours or even days to kill all the fleas on your cat. That's why many veterinarians recommend Capstar (nitenpyram).

Learn how Capstar can kill fleas fast, especially when combined with flea prevention medications.

Capstar for cats at a glance [At a glance]

What is Capstar for cats, and how does it work?

Capstar, also known as nitenpyram, is a flea treatment that can be used in cats.

Capstar is a tablet given by mouth. After a cat eats Capstar, the medication is absorbed into the cat's bloodstream. It circulates in their blood and is then ingested by fleas that are feeding on the cat's blood. When fleas ingest Capstar, they develop neurological problems and die within a matter of hours.

What is Capstar used for in cats?

Veterinarians recommend Capstar to treat a couple of parasites in cats. Capstar is FDA-approved to treat fleas in cats, but vets also prescribe it off-label to treat maggots.

Fleas

Capstar's primary benefit is that it kills fleas quickly. Most monthly preventatives take from several hours to a day or two to kill all the fleas on a cat. Capstar begins working within 30 minutes and will kill all fleas within a few hours.

Veterinarians often recommend Capstar for cats with a heavy flea infestation. Capstar can also prove useful in cats with a flea allergy, because it will kill fleas quickly and stop the allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, Capstar doesn't have any lasting activity. A cat that is treated with Capstar today can pick up new fleas from their environment tomorrow. Also, Capstar is only effective against adult fleas; it does not have any effect on flea eggs or flea larvae. Veterinarians often combine Capstar with other parasite preventatives to offer lasting protection against fleas.

Maggots

While Capstar is labeled for the treatment of fleas, veterinarians also use Capstar to treat maggots. When a cat (especially an outdoor cat) has an open wound, female flies can lay eggs on the wound. These eggs hatch, leading to a maggot infestation in the wound. Removing maggots by hand can be difficult, so veterinarians give cats Capstar to kill maggots in their wounds.

How is Capstar dosed and given for cats?

Capstar for cats comes in a one-size pill. This pill can be used to treat any cat from 2 to 25 lbs, as long as the cat is at least 4 weeks old.

Give Capstar by mouth. You may be able to give the pill by hand, gently placing it on the rear of your cat's tongue. If necessary, you can hide it in a treat or small amount of canned food.

Capstar can be given as often as once daily. In most cases, however, Capstar is given as a one-time treatment. The cat is also given a long-term, longer-acting flea preventative to provide lasting protection against fleas.

What are the common side effects of Capstar in cats?

Some cats experience mild side effects caused by Capstar. These side effects may include:

• Lethargy

• Decreased appetite

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

If your cat experiences these side effects, contact your veterinarian's office for guidance.

Also, cats often become itchy after receiving Capstar. Usually, this is caused by the fleas and not the medication itself. As fleas ingest Capstar, they often become more excitable. They move around more as they die, and this can lead to a brief period of increased itchiness for the cat. In most cases, this is short-lived and the cat feels much better once the fleas are dead.

What are the most serious risks of Capstar for cats?

Serious side effects are rare in cats treated with Capstar. However, a small number of reports describe neurological problems. These reports often involve pets that are too young and/or too small to safely receive Capstar. It's important to only give Capstar to cats that weigh at least 2 pounds and are at least 4 weeks old.

Neurological side effects caused by Capstar are rare, but they may include:

• Incoordination

• Muscle tremors

• Seizures

If your cat shows signs of neurological issues after receiving Capstar, call your veterinarian immediately.

Does Capstar interact with other cat medications?

There are no known interactions between Capstar and other medications. Still, it's best to make sure that your veterinarian is familiar with any medications your cat takes. These include prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, and supplements.

What should you do if your cat misses a dose of Capstar?

If you miss giving your cat a dose of Capstar, give them the missed dose as soon as you remember to do so. Wait 24 hours before giving your cat another dose of Capstar. Do not give a double dose of Capstar at the same time.

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