NexGard Spectra®

NexGard Spectra® is a prescription only medicine. This site is provided as an information service for veterinary professionals working in the UK. Please tick ‘I’m a veterinary professional’ to confirm that you are a veterinary professional working in the UK (e.g. veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse or veterinary student).

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Nexgard Spectra

Broad-spectrum protection in a single, monthly, tasty chew*

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Nexgard Spectra

A monthly treat

 

A tasty chew that dogs will love

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Nexgard Spectra

Ideal for puppies too

 

Suitable for lifelong treatment

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Nexgard Spectra

Suitable for breeding bitches

 

Can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches**

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Parasite protection for dogs couldn’t be easier

One monthly, tasty chew provides broad-spectrum parasite cover
against these key parasites:†

 

Click on each parasite to find out more

dog parasites

AFOXOLANER

  • Flea

    Eliminates
    fleas

  • ticks

    Terminates
    ticks

  • Mites

    Manages
    mites†

MILBEMYCIN OXIME

  • Controls
    roundworm

    Roundworm

  • Prevents
    lungworm
    disease

    Lungworm disease

Also covers

  • Hookworm
  • Whipworm
  • Heartworm
  • Eyeworm
  • Ear mites

Fleas are the top parasite worry for pet owners1

  1. Challenging to control due to their life cycle
  2. Only 5% of fleas are seen
  3. 95% of the total flea population are in immature stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) in the environment2

 

NexGard SPECTRA® kills fleas

The afoxolaner effect:*

clock

Fleas start dying after
just 2 hours3

clock

All fleas are dead within 6 hours3

Flea

Kills fleas before they can lay eggs4

* Data from NexGard® studies

  1. Ipsos. Usage & Attitudes Report for Merial Europe. 2015.
  2. Halos L, Beugnet F, Cardosos L, et al. Flea control failure? Myths and realities. Trends Parasitol 2014;30(5):228–233.
  3. Beugnet F, Halos L, Guillot J. Textbook of Clinical Parasitology in dogs and cats. Servet editorial – Grupo Asís Biomedia, S.L.; 2018.
  4. EMA. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): NexGard SPECTRA® chewable tablets for dogs (afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime). European Medicines Agency, London.

 

1 in 3 dogs in the UK are infested with ticks1

  1. 1 in 50 ticks throughout the UK carry Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi),2 which is transmitted by Ixodes spp.
  2. Babesiosis (vector Dermacentor reticulatus) has been diagnosed in untravelled dogs in the UK3,4
  3. Treatment should kill ticks before they can transmit disease

 

NexGard SPECTRA® kills ticks – in time

The afoxolaner effect:*

24 hours time

Ticks killed within
24 hours5

Tick

Kills ticks before the transmission window for Lyme disease and babesiosis6,7

* Data from NexGard® studies

  1. Abdullah S, Helps C, Tasker S, Newbury H, Wall R. Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasit Vectors. 2016;9:391.
  2. Abdullah S, Helps C, Tasker S, Newbury H, Wall R. Prevalence and distribution of Borrelia and Babesia species in ticks feeding on dogs in the U.K. Med Vet Entomol. 2018;32:14–22.
  3. Swainsbury C, Bengtson G, Hill P. Babesiosis in dogs. Vet Rec. 2016;178:172.
  4. Phipps LP, Del Mar Fernandez De Marco M, Hernandez-Triana LM, et al. Babesia canis detected in dogs and associated ticks from Essex. Vet Rec. 2016;178:243–244.
  5. Halos l, Lebon W, Chalvet-Monfray K, et al. Immediate efficacy and persistent speed of kill of a novel oral formulation of afoxolaner (NexGard®) against induced infestations with Ixodes ricinus ticks. Parasit Vectors. 2014;7:452.
  6. Wright I. What do dog owners need from tick protection? Vet Times, 2018;48:10–11.
  7. Beugnet F, Halos L, Guillot J. Textbook of Clinical Parasitology in dogs and cats. Servet editorial – Grupo Asís Biomedia, S.L.; 2018.

Mites are contagious, and can be highly pruritic and zoonotic

  • Otodectes cynotis 
    (ear mites)
    Visible to the naked eye
    Life cycle is 3 weeks
     

  • Sarcoptes scabiei
    Intense pruritus
    Zoonotic
     

  • Demodex canis
    Localised and generalised
    Underlying disease

NexGard SPECTRA® manages mites*

Sarcoptic mange

100% EFFICACY1

after 2 monthly treatments2

100% EFFICACY before

Before

100% EFFICACY after

After

Demodicosis

98-100% EFFICACY

after 3 monthly treatments*3,4

98–100% EFFICACY before

Before

98–100% EFFICACY after

After

*Data from NexGard® studies.

  1. Panarese R, Iatta R, Lia RP, et al. Efficacy of afoxolaner for the treatment of ear mite infestation under field conditions. Vet Parasitol. 2021;300:109607. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109607.
  2. Hampel V, Knaus M, Schafer J, et al. Treatment of canine sarcoptic mange with afoxolaner (NexGard® and afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime (NexGard SPECTRA®) chewable tablets: efficacy under field conditions in Portugal and Germany. Parasite 2018;25:63.
  3. Rehbein S, de Vos C, Beugnet FC, et al. Efficacy of once-monthly doses of oral afoxolaner and afoxolaner/milbemycin oxime in a well-controlled study for the treatment of canine generalized demodicosis. Open J Vet Med 2018;08:250–265.
  4. Lebon W, Beccati M, Bourdeau P, et al. Efficacy of two formulations of afoxolaner (NexGard® and NexGard SPECTRA® for the treatment of generalised demodicosis in dogs, in veterinary dermatology referral centers in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2018;11:506.

Roundworms - a forgotten family risk for pet owners?

Toxocara is an increasing public health concern

Eggs are widespread
  • Eggs are very commonly found in public parks and gardens

    Eggs are very commonly found in public parks and gardens1

  • 1 in 5 dogs has eggs on their paws and coats

    1 in 5 dogs has eggs on their paws and coats2

Children are especially at risk
  • 27% of children have Toxocara antibodies

    27% of children have Toxocara antibodies3

  • Exposed children score lower in maths and reading assessments

    Exposed children score lower in maths and reading assessments4

Increased disease risks
  • Risk of epilepsy is almost doubled

    Risk of epilepsy is almost doubled5

  • Risk of asthma is almost tripled

    Risk of asthma is almost tripled6

ESCCAP recommendations for control of Toxocara spp.

“As the prepatent period for Toxocara spp. … is a little over 4 weeks, monthly treatment will minimise the risk of patent infections”7

 

NexGard SPECTRA® controls roundworm

Monthly treatment with NexGard SPECTRA® virtually eliminates shedding of Toxocara8

 

 

  1. Morgan E. Toxocara canis: how safe is that sandpit? Vet Times 2018;48:6–7.
  2. Panova OA, Khrustalev AV. Dog walking brings Toxocara eggs to people’s homes. Veterinary Parasitology 2018;262:16–19.
  3. Ree GH, Voller A, Rowland HA. Toxocariasis in the British Isles 1982-3. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1984;288:628–629.
  4. Walsh MG, Haseeb MA. Reduced cognitive function in children with toxocariasis in a nationally representative sample of the United States. Int J Parasitol 2012;42:1159–1163.
  5. Quattrocchi G, Nicoletti A, Marin B, et al. Toxocariasis and epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012;6:e1775.
  6. Li L, Gao W, Yang X, et al. Asthma and toxocariasis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014;113:187–192.
  7. ESCCAP. Worm Control in Dogs and Cats. ESCCAP Guideline 01. Seventh edition, 2025.
  8. Rehbein S, Knaus M, Mallouk Y, et al. Efficacy against nematode infections and safety of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets in domestic dogs under field conditions in Europe. Parasitol Res 2017;116:259–269.

Lungworm infection in dogs is serious and can be fatal

  • Non-specific 
    signs

  • Respiratory
    illness

  • Bleeding disorders
    (coagulopathy)

  • Neurological 
    disorders

Lungworm infection is spreading through the UK and Ireland1,2

 

NexGard SPECTRA® prevents lungworm disease

 

Monthly administration of NexGard SPECTRA® prevents
angiostrongylosis and controls environmental contamination3,4

94.9%

Reduction of lungworm burden4

99.9%

Reduction of larval shedding4

  1. Taylor CS, Garcia Gato R, Learmount J, et al. Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain. Parasitol. 2015;142:1190–1195.
  2. McCarthy G, Ferrand M, De Waal T, et al. Geographical distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Republic of Ireland. Parasitol. 2016;143:588–593.
  3. EMA. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): NexGard SPECTRA® chewable tablets for dogs (afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime). European Medicines Agency, London.
  4. Lebon W, Tielemans E, Rehbein S, et al. Monthly administrations of milbemycin oxime plus afoxolaner chewable tablets to prevent Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs. Parasit Vectors. 2016;9(1):485.

 

Taking parasite protection to the next level

With growing expectations around responsible parasite control, there is pressure to show tailored, evidence-based prescribing decisions. A lifestyle-based risk assessment can help you confidently match the right parasiticide, at the right frequency, to the right pet.

Pet Parasite Protection

Parassess® online risk assessment tool
Parassess® is a fast, structured way for owners to understand their pet’s individual risk. Based on  ESCCAP guidelines, it collects key lifestyle and behaviour information in just a few minutes and generates a personalised report for owners to discuss with you.

Discover Parassess® here

When given the choice of both, 9/10 dogs preferred NexGard Spectra to Simparica Trio™ and Credelio™ Plus1,2

Study design

Study 1.

Dogs were offered NexGard SPECTRA® and Simparica Trio™ simultaneously, one in each hand.

 

Study 2.

Dogs were offered NexGard SPECTRA® and Credelio™ Plus simultaneously, one in each hand.

  • For each study, this was repeated once a day over 4 consecutive days.
  • The hands offering the product were changed each subsequent day, e.g. right hand on day 1 and left hand on day 2.
  • Dogs were allowed to sniff hands then, after choosing a product, the other hand was closed.
  • Dogs were observed for 1 minute and it was recorded if the product they chose was consumed. Preference was recorded if one product was consumed more than the other over the 4 days. No preference was recorded if the product was not consumed or if the choice was equal between the products.

NexGard SPECTRA ® is also suitable for puppies

  • Can be used on puppies

    Can be started from just 8 weeks of age and from 1.35 kg

  • Five weight ranges

    Five weight ranges enable appropriate monthly dosing as puppies grow

  • Monthly dosing follows ESCCAP

    Monthly dosing follows ESCCAP puppy roundworming recommendations3

  • Vet

    Suitable for breeding bitches (can be used in breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches)‡

For more information, read the full vet brochure

NexGard Spectra® offers benefits for owners and practices too

Explore the latest...

Owner materials
Handy resources, like posters for your veterinary practice, and materials to support your client communications.

Click to view more info
Owner materials

Puppy campaign
Engage with new puppy owner clients, helping to keep their new family member happy and healthy while building a lifelong connection with your practice.

Click to view more info
Puppy campaign

Introducing Parassess®
A FREE online, easy-to-use parasite risk checker that helps owners to help you assess their dog’s individual risk. Enables a timely, risk-based prescribing decision in your busy practice.

Click to view more info
Explore Parassess
  • Owner materials
  • Puppy campaign
  • Parassess risk checker

*NexGard SPECTRA® is indicated for the treatment of flea and tick infestations in dogs when the concurrent prevention of heartworm disease, angiostrongylosis and/or treatment of gastrointestinal nematode infestations is indicated. NexGard SPECTRA® does not cover tapeworm.
†The mite indication for NexGard SPECTRA® is for treatment of sarcoptic mange, demodicosis and Otodectes cynotis.
‡The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established in breeding males. In breeding males, use only according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

References:

  1. Perier N, Carithers DS, Everett WR, et al. Preference of dogs between two oral formulations of endectoparasiticides: NexGard SPECTRA® (afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime) and Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel). Open J Vet Med. 2020;10:155–163. 2020;10:155–163.
  2. Perier N, Carithers DS, Everett WR, et al. Preference in dogs of two oral endectoparasiticide formulations: NexGard SPECTRA® (afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime) and Credelio® Plus (lotilaner and milbemycin oxime). Open J Vet Med. 2021;11:289–298.
  3. ESCCAP. Worm Control in Dogs and Cats. ESCCAP Guideline 01. Seventh edition, 2025.

NexGard SPECTRA® contains afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime. UK: POM-V IE: POM.  Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd., RG12 8YS, UK. UK Tel: 01344 746959 (sales) or 01344 746957 (technical). IE Tel: 01 291 3985 (all queries). Email: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. NexGard SPECTRA® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France SCS, used under licence. ©2026 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Feb 2026. UI-PET-0373-2025. Use Medicines Responsibly.  
Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone.