Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

NexGard vs Simparica: Vet-Explained Pros, Cons, & Differences (2024 Update)

Dr. Emma Chandley Profile Picture

By Dr. Emma Chandley

NexGard vs Simparica

Vet approved

Dr. Emma Chandley Photo

Written by

Dr. Emma Chandley

BVetMed PGCertSAS MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Most pet owners are familiar with the burden of choosing and administering flea and tick treatment. Fleas and ticks cause enormous problems for our pets all year, so it is important to ensure they are properly protected. There are so many products on the market, and it can be difficult for owners to know which one to choose. Two of the top products used currently are Nexgard and Simparica. They are both useful in unique ways, but which one is best for your dog? Here is a vet-written guide to help you decide!

Both Nexgard and Simparica are products commonly prescribed as parasite treatment for dogs. They both work against ticks, fleas, sarcoptic mange, and democratic mange. Simparica also has the advantage of treating ear mite infestations. They are both administered every month. The treatment protocol may be altered slightly if using products to treat mites—your vet can advise you on this.

Nexgard contains Afoxolaner and is made by Boeheinger Ingelheim. Other products have a broader spectrum of activity, such as Nexgard Spectra, and there is a product designed for use in cats, Nexgard Combo. Simparica contains Sarolaner and is made by Zoetis. A broader spectrum alternative is Simparica Trio.

The mechanism of action in both drugs is similar. They both use a pesticide from the same Isoxazoline class. They both kill parasites by halting the normal functions of the parasites’ nervous system. For the product to work effectively, parasites must have bitten and been fed by your dog.

Both products are prescription-only medications.

hepper cat paw divider

At a Glance

Nexgard
  • Prescription-only veterinary medicine that is used on a monthly basis
  • Chewable beef-flavored tablet
  • Rapidly kills fleas and treats and controls ticks
  • Can be used in the management of flea allergic dermatitis
  • Can be used from 8 weeks of age and 2 kg bodyweight
  • Exposure to the product kills adult fleas within 8 hours and ticks within 48 hours.
  • Treats and controls mites and sarcoptic mange
Simparica
  • Prescription-only veterinary medicine that is used on a monthly basis.
  • Chewable, liver-flavored tablet.
  • Rapidly kills fleas and ticks.
  • Can be used for the management of flea allergic dermatitis.
  • Exposure to the product kills adult fleas within 8 hours and ticks within 12 hours.
  • Can be used from 8 weeks of age and 1.3kg bodyweight
  • Treats demodicosis and sarcoptic mange
  • Can also be used for the treatment of ear mite infestation

hepper single cat paw divider

Overview of Nexgard

Pros
  • Can be given with food
  • Flavored tablets are easy to chew
  • Breaks the flea life cycle as fleas are killed before they produce eggs
  • Works quickly—kills adult fleas within 8 hours of exposure and ticks within 48 hours
  • As well as fleas and ticks, it also treats Demodex mites and sarcoptic mange
  • Minimal reports of adverse reactions. Reactions that have been documented were not considered serious and did not require treatment (self-limiting and of short duration)
  • Safe to use in Border Collies who are known to have multidrug resistance genes and can react to certain anti-parasite products
Cons
  • It does not prevent the spread of diseases that parasites may be carrying
  • Adverse reactions have been reported, including mild gastrointestinal effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, pruritus, lethargy, neurological signs, and anorexia
  • There is currently no data on the use of lactating or pregnant females
  • Due to the minimum age and weight, it is unsuitable for certain toy breeds or younger puppies
person giving tick and flea medicine to a white maltese dog
Photo Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock

Overview of Simparica

Pros
  • Can be given with food
  • Flavored tablets are easy to chew
  • Breaks the flea life cycle as fleas are killed before they produce eggs
  • Works quickly; exposure causes death of adult fleas within 8 hours, new ticks in 12 hours, and established ticks in 24 hours
  • Adverse effects are uncommon and have been reported in less than 1 dog in 10,000. It has been reported these signs usually resolve without treatment
  • As well as fleas and ticks, it also treats Demodex mites and sarcoptic mange
  • Known to treat ear mite infestations as well
  • Safe to use in Border Collies who are known to have multidrug resistance genes and can react to certain anti-parasite products.
  • Reports of persistent flea and tick-killing activity for at least 35 days, so if a dose is slightly late, the dog is still protected
  • Reported to be well tolerated in puppies from 8 weeks old and dogs weighing 1.3kg and over
Cons
  • It does not prevent the spread of diseases that parasites may be carrying
  • Cannot be used in puppies under 8 weeks old
  • Not approved for use in breeding pregnant or lactating bitches.
  • Side effects documented include vomiting and diarrhea, tremors, ataxia, and convulsions

hepper single cat paw divider

What Are the Differences Between Nexgard and Simparica?

At a glance, both products seem very similar, but there are some significant differences.

Performance

Edge: Simparica

Simparica has the edge here as it has a broader spectrum of activity. It is effective against ticks, fleas, Demodex, and Sarcoptes, plus species of ear mites. Nexgard is only effective against ticks, fleas, Demodex, and Sarcoptes.

Simparica and Nexgard kill fleas within 8 hours of jumping on the dog and feeding. Simparica works faster on ticks, killing them within 12 hours of jumping on and feeding. Nexgard kills ticks within 48 hours of the tick attaching and feeding.

Simparica and Nexgard both have efficacy against fleas for 35 days after dosing. However, Nexgard only has effective action against ticks for 4 weeks, whereas Simparica maintains efficacy against ticks for 5 weeks, so Simparica wins this round, too.

Simparica and Nexgard can be used safely in Border Collies. Some Border Collies are recognized to have a mutation of the MDR1 gene. This mutation means they are more sensitive to adverse effects from certain medications. One type of drug they are known to react to is antiparasitic medications.

Nexgard is believed to be safe and effective; dogs with the MDR1 mutation were deemed to be at no greater risk for adverse effects. Simparica was well tolerated in dogs with the MDR1 gene, although it is advised that the dose should be strictly observed in sensitive breeds.

Simparica and Nexgard can be used in younger dogs as long as they are over 8 weeks of age. Simparica has a lower minimum weight requirement of 1.3kg compared to Nexgard, which can only safely be used in dogs over 2kg.

Simparica TRIO


Price

Edge: Simparica

Currently, Simparica is slightly cheaper per unit than Nexgard. However, there is no significant price difference, and depending on how much your veterinarian practice buys in the bulk of each product, it may mean they can dispense Nexgard at a lower cost.


Palatability

Edge: Tie

Some dogs may have a preference for flavor. Simparica is liver-flavored, and Nexgard is beef-flavored.

Nexgard chewable tablets for dogs
Image by Czarina Billones | Hepper

Safety

Edge: Tie

It has been reported that some adverse effects were seen in puppies treated with more than the recommended dose of Simparica. This was not the case when puppies were given more than the recommended dose of Nexgard. This could be used to argue that Nexgard is safer than Simparica.

However, different testing methods were carried out to obtain these results, so the results cannot be fairly compared. None of the adverse effects were witnessed when the correct dose of Simparica was administered.

hepper single cat paw divider

What the Users Say

After analyzing the reviews and opinions of frequent users of Simparica and Nexgard, we found that the consensus is positive for both products. Owners seem to be very satisfied with Simparica and Nexgard.

Reviews for Simparica are generally very positive. One review mentions that the flea infestation was eliminated within the number of hours stated by Zoetis. Other reviews mention that the patients preferred the oral treatment to the spot-ons available. Some reviews documented adverse effects, but nothing serious was reported, and no long-term chronic effects were mentioned.

Nexgard reviews were also very positive. Some owners report that their dogs look forward to the tablet and view it as a treat. A small number of reports detailing adverse reactions as described in the literature were reported, but all seemed to be self-limiting, and nothing serious was reported.

Most importantly, vets recommend both products and use them for their own pets and frequently prescribe them for their patients. The consensus is that both products work as they should, are extremely effective, and have minimal side effects.

There doesn’t seem to be a strong preference between the two products reviewing public opinions.

hepper single cat paw divider

Conclusion

There is no strong winner in this contest; both products are well respected and frequently used with good results. If ear mites are an issue, Simparica does take the edge over Nexgard.

Both products are very easy to administer. Dogs seem to enjoy the flavor and often look forward to them as a treat. There is a very small difference in cost, but it is of no great significance. Both products have positive reviews from owners, and vets across the world are happy to use and prescribe both products.

If you want any further information in relation to your own dog, your vet will be able to discuss your dog’s individual case with you and advise you which product is best suited to your dog.


 

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database

Shopping cart0
There are no products in the cart!