Generic Name
Lufenuron

Brand Name
Lufenuron: Program
Lufenuron and Milbemycin Oxime: Sentinel

Type of Drug
Insect development inhibitor

Form and Storage
Tablets, suspension, and injectable
Store at room temperature. Once suspension pouch is opened, use immediately or discard.

Indications for Use
Treatment and prevention of flea infestations.

General Information
FDA approved for use in dogs and cats. Available by prescription and over the counter. Once the female flea ingests blood from a pet treated with lufenuron, 96% of egg development from fleas on cats and 99% of egg development from fleas on dogs is stopped. This helps prevent a continual flea problem. Lufenuron does not kill the adult flea and does not stop the flea from biting and causing flea allergy dermatitis. The drug is stored in the body fat and released into the bloodstream over the course of a month. Flea eggs laid prior to treating the pet may take several months to hatch; Program will not be effective until these fleas start to lay eggs. Therefore it may take several months to see the product's effectiveness. If quicker results are needed, use a product which will kill adult fleas; these will provide quicker relief for the pet. Cats require a higher dose per pound than dogs. After the cat injectable form is administered, 2-3 weeks are needed to reach therapeutic levels in the blood. The injectable form for cats is effective for 6 months.

Usual Dose and Administration
Tablets and oral suspension are given monthly by mouth. Must be given with food to increase absorption.

Dogs: Tablets for weight ranges of; up to 10 pounds, 11-20 pounds, 21-45 pounds, and 46-90 pounds. For dogs over 90 pounds, use the appropriate combination.

Cats: Tablets for weight ranges of; up to 6 pounds, and 7-15 pounds. For cats over 15 pounds, use the appropriate combination.
Suspension: Portioned for weight ranges of; up to 10 pounds and 11-20 pounds. For cats over 20 pounds, use the appropriate combination.
Injectable: Portioned for weight ranges up to 8.8 pounds and 8.8-17.6 pounds. Given subcutaneously (SQ) every 6 months. For cats over 17.6 pounds, use the tablets or suspension.

Side Effects
Rare. May see lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, itching, difficulty breathing, or reddened skin. A small lump may arise at the injection site and take several weeks to subside.

Contraindications/Warnings
Oral forms are considered safe to use in pregnancy and lactation.

Do not administer the injectable cat product to dogs as a severe reaction could occur in the dog.

Program tablets are approved for use in dogs and cats 6 weeks of age and older.

Program injectable and suspension are approved for use in cats 6 weeks of age and older.

Sentinel tablets are approved for use in dogs 4 weeks of age and older.

Treat year-round for best results or start before warm weather begins each spring in the northern states.

Need to treat all pets in the household for fleas, and treat the environment, or the problem will continue.

Drug or Food Interactions
No known drug interactions.

Must be given with a meal to have adequate absorption.

Overdose/Toxicity
Unlikely.