Advantage
What is Advantage?
Advantage is indicated for the treatment and prevention of fleas (Ctenocephalides sp.) and control of lice (Trichodectes canis, Linognathus setosus) on dogs.
What is the active ingredient in Advantage and how does it work?
Advantage contains imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is an insect neurotoxin and works by interfering with the transmission of impulses along the insect nervous system. This causes paralysis of the insect and its ultimate death. Because mammals have a different type of nervous system to insects, imidacloprid does not affect them.
How often is Advantage applied?
To break the flea life cycle Advantage is applied directly to the skin every 4 weeks. By doing this Advantage ensures that fleas that jump onto your pet will stop feeding, become paralysed and die. In addition Advantage controls the immature stages of the flea's life cycle in the environment and so prevents reinfestation.
From what age can Advantage be used?
Advantage is safe to use in puppies any age. It is not necessary to treat unweaned puppies as treatment of the mother protects the litter while in contact. Treat the mother until weaning, then treat the individual puppies.
How quickly does Advantage work?
Advantage stops fleas biting within 3 to 5 minutes and kills both adult fleas and larvae within 20 minutes. Fleas are not required to bite the animal to receive a lethal dose.
Is Advantage water fast?
Advantage remains effective following shampooing with a soap-free shampoo, swimming or exposure to rain. Bathing your pet is not required prior to applying Advantage however your pet should not be allowed to swim or be shampooed within 48 hours after treatment. Avoid applying Advantage while the animal is wet.
Can Advantage be used on pets with itchy skin?
Advantage can be used in the management of pets with very itchy and inflammed skin due to flea bites - also known as flea allergy dermatitis.
Can I use Advantage all year-round?
Fleas are often a year-round problem and so Advantage should be applied every 4 weeks throughout the year.
Can Advantage be used on pregnant or lactating animals?
Advantage is safe for use on pregnant and lactating animals.
Can Advantage be used with other medications?
Advantage may be used at the same time as treatment for worms and with daily or monthly preventative treatment for heartworm.
Additional Information
Occasionally, hair loss may occur at the application site. This is usually a single occurrence and hair will grow back uneventfully. Advantage has no strong chemical smell. The liquid vehicle in Advantage may discolour or damage certain surfaces and fabrics e.g. polished floorboards, leather. Exlude the animal from contact with such surfaces until the product dries on the animal's coat.
Safety Directions
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Will irritate the eyes. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not inhale vapour. If product in eyes, wash it out immediately with water. Wash hands after use.
First Aid
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).
