Capstar® Tablets for Cats and Dogs

What Capstar Is and How It Works

Capstar® is an oral flea medicine for dogs and cats. It is used for rapid knockdown of adult fleas and short-term control during an active infestation. This page explains how it works, who it suits, and how to use it, with US delivery from Canada and options for paying without insurance.

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Capstar for cats and dogs contains nitenpyram, a fast-acting insect neurotoxin that targets flea nervous systems. It binds insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and leads to paralysis and death of adult fleas. The treatment does not provide residual protection; many households pair it with long-acting monthly preventives and environmental cleaning. You should also treat the home and yard to reduce re-infestation pressure.

Who It’s For

This medicine is intended for dogs and cats with a current flea problem, including multi-pet homes. It may be given to puppies and kittens that are at least four weeks old and weigh at least two pounds. The tablets can be useful when you bring a pet home from boarding, a shelter, or travel, or when you see live fleas after an outdoor exposure.

Do not use in pets with a known sensitivity to nitenpyram. Discuss use with your veterinarian if your pet has a history of seizures or significant neurologic disease. Pregnant and lactating animals have been reported to tolerate this class well, but individual medical history still matters.

For related pet topics, you can also read Apoquel For Dogs and Cerenia Tablets.

Dosage and Usage

Give one tablet by mouth according to your pet’s weight band as directed on the label. Administer with or without food. If your pet is difficult to pill, you may hide the tablet in a small amount of a palatable treat. Ensure the full dose is swallowed; offer a second small bite to help the tablet go down. Observe your pet for a few minutes to confirm the dose was not spat out.

Nitenpyram tablets for dogs may be given as often as once daily if fleas are seen again. This schedule provides quick relief but does not replace a monthly preventive. Do not administer more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless your veterinarian advises otherwise. If multiple pets share a home, dose each animal by its weight band on the same day.

If vomiting occurs within a short period after dosing, consult your veterinarian about whether to repeat the dose. Keep fresh water available. When switching to a monthly preventive, follow labeled guidance and veterinary advice to avoid overlapping products inappropriately.

Strengths and Forms

Availability may vary by region and supplier. Common presentations include:

• 11.4 mg tablets for small dogs and cats
• 57 mg tablets for medium and large dogs
• Capstar 6 tablets per carton for many weight bands

Some suppliers offer single-unit blisters or multi-pack options. Packaging, color-coding, and tablet imprinting can differ by market; review the carton or insert for your pet’s weight mapping.

Missed Dose and Timing

This product is typically used as a rapid relief option, not on a fixed monthly day. If you intended to give a dose and forgot, administer when remembered, provided 24 hours have passed since the last dose. Do not double up doses. A Capstar single dose tablet may be repeated on a subsequent day if live fleas are seen again.

Because adult fleas emerge from the environment over time, repeat dosing may be needed on consecutive days until you transition to, or pair with, a longer-acting preventive and environmental control program.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in the original blister to protect from moisture and light. Keep out of reach of children and animals. Do not use tablets that are damaged or beyond the labeled expiration date. If you split cartons to organize doses for multiple pets, keep the blister and insert together for reference.

For travel, carry the medicine in its original package with your vet’s details and the labeled weight band. Keep it in hand luggage if flying to avoid extreme temperatures. A resealable pouch can prevent humidity exposure. Many couriers use temperature-controlled handling when required; once received, store under the labeled conditions at home.

For general pet-care reading, see Arthritis In Dogs.

Benefits

This treatment provides fast relief from adult fleas. It can be used in households that need immediate knockdown while setting up long-term control. The tablets have no residue on fur, so bathing and swimming are not an issue after dosing. You can administer to multiple pets on the same day using the correct weight bands.

Because this therapy primarily targets adult fleas, plan integrated control. Wash bedding, vacuum carpets, and address outdoor areas where fleas develop. A monthly preventive can maintain control between environmental cleanups once the initial burden is down.

Side Effects and Safety

Nitenpyram flea tablets are generally well tolerated. Short-lived effects can occur as fleas die and pets scratch. Commonly reported reactions include:

• Vomiting or soft stool
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy or restlessness
• Increased scratching or grooming
• Transient rapid breathing or vocalization in sensitive cats

Serious adverse events are uncommon but may include neurologic signs such as tremors or seizures, especially in pets with pre-existing conditions. If severe or persistent signs occur, stop the medicine and contact a veterinarian. Keep all products out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion by the wrong pet or a child.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Use caution when combining multiple flea insecticides on the same day. Some pets are sensitive to overlapping insecticidal classes. Nitenpyram tablets for cats are often paired with a monthly preventive, but the timing should follow label directions and professional guidance. Tell your veterinarian about all medicines, supplements, and shampoos used recently.

In pets with liver or neurologic disease, discuss risk versus benefit before use. If your pet is pregnant or nursing, confirm appropriateness with your veterinarian. For related veterinary antibiotic guidance, see Cephalexin For Dogs and Clavamox For Dogs.

What to Expect Over Time

After dosing, you may see fleas become more active briefly before dying. Many pets show relief the same day. Because eggs and larvae in the environment keep maturing, new adult fleas can appear for days or weeks. Repeat dosing can help manage those emergers while you implement environmental measures and a monthly preventive selected by your veterinarian.

Practice regular washing of pet bedding and frequent vacuuming, including under furniture. Dispose of vacuum contents promptly. Treat all pets in the household with appropriate options. For parasite education, you may also read Droncit For Cats.

Compare With Alternatives

For dogs needing ongoing protection, monthly oral isoxazoline options such as Simparica® provide sustained flea and tick control. For cats, a topical monthly that adds tick and parasite coverage such as Revolution® Plus may be considered. These options differ in spectrum and duration; your veterinarian can recommend the right fit for your pet’s needs.

Pricing and Access

We offer Canadian pricing with transparent options for households that prefer to pay cash. Check availability, pack sizes, and weight bands before you add to cart. For category browsing, visit Pet Medications. Orders Ships from Canada to US with careful packaging.

To compare options, review the label and talk to your veterinarian about cost-effective long-term control. If you track household spend, you can estimate total monthly out of pocket by combining a rapid relief option with a monthly preventive. If you are looking for extra value, see current Promotions.

Interested in cash-pay value? Review Capstar price without insurance alongside longer-acting preventives to plan a full season of control.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by weight band and pack size. If a specific presentation is unavailable, your veterinarian may recommend an alternative with similar or longer duration. Do not substitute products across species or weight ranges without checking the label and professional guidance.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This quick-relief option suits households that need same-day flea knockdown. It also fits multi-pet homes where several animals require coordinated control. It may not be sufficient alone for heavy environmental infestations; pairing with a monthly preventive and cleaning plan is common.

• Multi-month planning: order enough tablets to cover all pets
• Refill reminders: set calendar alerts to avoid gaps
• Environmental steps: wash bedding and vacuum regularly
• Weight accuracy: weigh pets to choose the correct band
• Bundle approach: use a monthly preventive for maintenance

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is nitenpyram appropriate for my pet’s age, weight, and health?
• How should I transition to a monthly preventive after rapid knockdown?
• What environmental steps are most important for my home?
• Can I use this with a flea shampoo or collar on the same day?
• What signs after dosing should prompt a recheck or call?

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer Product Site

FDA Animal Drugs Database

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Ready to proceed? Add the correct weight band to cart for express US shipping from Canada. Always follow the label and your veterinarian’s guidance. This information is not a substitute for professional advice.