Insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists as flea adulticides in small animals

J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2010 Aug;33(4):315-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2010.01160.x.

Abstract

Fleas are significant ectoparasites of small animals. They can be a severe irritant to animals and serve as a vector for a number of infectious diseases. In this article, we discuss the pharmacological characteristics of four insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists used as flea adulticides in dogs and cats, which include three neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, nitenpyram, and dinotefuran) and a macrocyclic lactone (spinosad). Insect nAChR agonists are one of the most important classes of insecticides, which are used to control sucking insects on both plants and animals. These novel compounds provide a new approach for practitioners to safely and effectively eliminate adult fleas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Drug Combinations
  • Guanidines / adverse effects
  • Guanidines / chemistry
  • Guanidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Imidazoles / adverse effects
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Insect Vectors
  • Insecticides* / adverse effects
  • Insecticides* / chemistry
  • Insecticides* / pharmacokinetics
  • Macrolides / adverse effects
  • Macrolides / chemistry
  • Macrolides / pharmacokinetics
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Nicotinic Agonists* / adverse effects
  • Nicotinic Agonists* / chemistry
  • Nicotinic Agonists* / pharmacokinetics
  • Nitro Compounds / adverse effects
  • Nitro Compounds / chemistry
  • Nitro Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacokinetics
  • Siphonaptera*

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Guanidines
  • Imidazoles
  • Insecticides
  • Macrolides
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Pyridines
  • dinotefuran
  • nitenpyram
  • imidacloprid
  • spinosad