AdTab for cats: how it works and when to give it
What AdTab is and how it works against fleas and ticks
AdTab is an oral parasite treatment from Elanco. Its active ingredient is lotilaner, an isoxazoline that blocks GABA- and glutamate-gated chloride channels in fleas and ticks: the parasite becomes paralysed and dies. In cats and dogs those channels have a different structure, so at therapeutic doses the medicine does not affect them. It comes as a chewable tablet given monthly.
The key with AdTab is speed. Fleas start dropping off within 6 hours and 99% are dead by 12 hours. Ticks die within 48 hours. That helps break the flea reproductive cycle and reduces the risk of disease transmission such as feline babesiosis. We’ve been supplying it since its launch in 2020 and, in my experience, it’s probably the oral flea-and-tick option for cats that goes over the counter most often. Owners tend to come back happy.
AdTab vs spot-ons and collars for cats
Before AdTab, most cats were on a spot-on. They work, but there’s a practical issue: if your cat scratches it off before 24 hours, you can lose cover. An oral tablet solves that.
A spot-on is still a good option when your cat won’t accept any tablet. Selamectin (Stronghold) also covers heartworm and ear mites, which AdTab doesn’t. The tablet wins on speed, leaves no residue on the coat, and its effectiveness isn’t affected by bathing—useful if you’re looking for an option similar to a monthly flea tablet for cats.
For cats I’m less keen on collars than I am for dogs: cats climb and jump, and collars can snag. If you choose one, make sure it has a safety breakaway mechanism. The Stangest Cronicare with CBD is used more as a wellbeing add-on than as a main parasite treatment.
| Format | Typical active ingredient | Duration | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdTab (oral) | Lotilaner | 1 month | Fast action and no external residue |
| Frontline spot-on | Fipronil | 1 month | No tablet needed, straightforward to apply |
| Stronghold spot-on | Selamectin | 1 month | Also covers heartworm and mites |
| Seresto collar | Imidacloprid + flumethrin | 8 months | Long duration with fewer missed doses |
Important warning: NEVER use a dog parasite treatment on a cat. Products containing permethrin (Advantix, Vectra 3D, many generic collars) are severely neurotoxic to cats and can be fatal.
Dosage: how to choose AdTab by your cat’s weight
The minimum authorised dose is 6 mg of lotilaner per kg of body weight every 30 days. If your cat is on the boundary between two weight ranges, choose the appropriate higher strength according to the leaflet: for a 2.1 kg cat, that means 48 mg, not 12 mg. Underdosing can reduce effectiveness.
| Cat’s weight | Tablet | No. of tablets | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 to 2 kg | AdTab 12 mg | 1 | Every 30 days |
| Over 2 kg up to 8 kg | AdTab 48 mg | 1 | Every 30 days |
| Over 8 kg | AdTab 48 mg | Combination to be assessed | Ask your vet |
For kittens, the minimum authorised age is 6 weeks and the minimum weight is 500 g. In pregnant or lactating queens, the product leaflet does not recommend use due to limited safety data. That does not mean it is known to be dangerous; it means it has not been sufficiently studied. If in doubt, ask your vet about a suitable alternative.
How to give the tablet to your cat without drama
AdTab is flavoured to make administration easier. Some cats will take it from your hand like a treat. If yours does, job done.
For cats with more character, try these options in order: hide it in a small ball of pâté or a lickable treat; crush it and mix it with wet food if the leaflet allows; or, as a last resort, use a pill dispenser with the head slightly tilted and a gentle blow on the nose to encourage swallowing. This third option can make cats wary the next time, so I would reserve it for difficult cases.
Set a reminder on your phone: I recommend the first day of each month so you do not lose track. Memory is not a dosing system.
Experienced-owner tip: if several cats live together, separate them into different rooms for 10 minutes while you give the tablets. This stops the greediest cat getting a double dose and the shy one getting none.
Safety, side effects and contraindications
Lotilaner has a wide safety margin in cats when used correctly. That does not mean it should be treated casually. It is still a veterinary medicine and should be given at the correct dose for your cat’s weight.
The most common side effects are usually mild: occasional vomiting in the first few hours, diarrhoea in cats with sensitive digestion, or short-lived lethargy. These often settle on their own. If vomiting happens more than twice or your cat stops eating, contact your vet.
The product leaflet advises caution in cats with a history of seizures: isoxazolines have been associated with tremors and seizures in animals with neurological susceptibility. These cases are uncommon, but they exist. For cats with epilepsy, a vet may prefer another option, such as a selamectin spot-on. Pregnancy, lactation, kittens under 6 weeks or under 500 g are also outside routine use. Known liver disease should be assessed by a vet.
When to contact your vet
AdTab is prevention, not a diagnosis. Contact your vet if:
- You still see live fleas 48 hours after dosing: there may be an environmental infestation in carpets, soft furnishings or floor gaps that requires a household spray such as Indorex. The tablet alone may not be enough.
- Your cat scratches obsessively despite being up to date with parasite protection: this may be flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergy or mange.
- You remove a tick and the head remains embedded, or the area becomes very inflamed within 72 hours.
- You notice tremors, disorientation or seizures after dosing. Stop use and call your vet immediately.
- Your cat is under 6 weeks old, pregnant, lactating or weighs less than 500 g.
My role in the pharmacy is to supply, advise and answer practical questions. Diagnosis and dose adjustment in special cases belong with your vet. Pharmacy advice should support veterinary care, not replace it.
Recommended products to protect your cat from fleas and ticks
Frequently asked questions about AdTab for cats
How often should I give AdTab to my cat?
AdTab is given every 30 days. In areas where fleas are active for much of the year, monthly protection is often the simplest approach. If you live in a colder area and your cat never goes outside, your vet may suggest a seasonal plan, but missed spring doses are a classic reason fleas appear at home. For many cats, year-round protection is easier to manage.
Does AdTab also treat intestinal worms in cats?
No. AdTab covers fleas and ticks only. For internal parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms or hookworms, your cat needs a separate worming product, usually a paste, tablet or spot-on depending on age, weight and lifestyle. Cats that hunt may need a more frequent worming plan.
Do I need a veterinary prescription to buy AdTab?
Supply rules depend on the market and the exact product authorisation. In the UK, veterinary flea and tick medicines should be supplied under the appropriate veterinary medicine category, with advice from a vet, pharmacist or suitably qualified person where required. If your cat has seizures, chronic disease, is pregnant or lactating, ask your vet before use.
Can I bathe my cat on the same day I give AdTab?
Yes. Lotilaner works systemically, which means it circulates in the bloodstream. Bathing does not affect its efficacy in the way it can with some topical spot-ons. That is one of the practical advantages of an oral tablet, although most cats will still strongly disagree with the bath itself.
My cat vomited the tablet. Should I give another one?
If your cat vomits within the first hour and you can clearly see the whole tablet or undigested pieces, ask your vet or pharmacist before repeating the dose. If vomiting happens after 1–2 hours, much of the lotilaner may already have been absorbed. Do not double dose unless a professional tells you to.
Can AdTab be combined with vaccines or other medicines?
In many cats, flea and tick protection can be used alongside routine vaccination or common treatments. Avoid combining AdTab with another isoxazoline unless your vet specifically recommends it, as this may duplicate the same type of active ingredient. If your cat is on long-term treatment for thyroid, kidney or heart disease, ask your vet before the first dose.
What is the difference between AdTab and Credelio Cat?
Both are based on lotilaner from Elanco, although brand names, pack formats and authorisation details can vary by market. Always check the species, strength, weight range and product leaflet before use rather than relying only on the brand name.
Can I give AdTab to a cat that hunts mice and lizards?
Yes, and hunting cats usually need particularly careful parasite control. They are more likely to pick up external parasites and internal worms. For cats that hunt, combine regular flea and tick protection with an internal worming plan agreed with your vet, and consider periodic faecal checks if parasite exposure is high.
