Frontline and generics

We have been getting a lot of questions about generic flea treatments. Frontline Plus has been on the market for 15 years, and we trust it to be safe and not cause reactions. While the claims are that the generics work the same way as Frontline Plus, we have some concerns.

The reason there’s an explosion of new products is that the patent on Fipronil (one of the active ingredients in Frontline Top Spot and Frontline Plus) recently expired. Because of this there are many new products saying they have the same ingredients as Frontline Plus. While the Fipronil may be the same ingredient used in the generics, Merial still holds the patent on the exact formulation of Frontline Plus, so there is no other product exactly like it.

We know that Frontline Plus is stored in the oil glands under the pet’s skin, and that you must wait 2 days before or after giving a bath to apply it so the natural oils are there. After that it is distributed continuously (for 1 month) to the skin & fur through the hair follicles. The ingredients that make Frontline effectively disperse on the animals coat is still under Merial’s patent. We cannot be sure the generic medication is distributed over the whole body in a safe manner. How is it done with the generics? We just don’t know. Distribution of Frontline Plus on the body

Who stands behind the generic product if there is a reaction or a bad batch? Merial stands by the Frontline Plus sold in veterinary hospitals. When you buy a 6 pack box of Frontline Plus and use it for 3 consecutive months on every pet in your house, and your pets get fleas, Merial will pay for an exterminator for your house. They also have a Buy 6 Get 2 FREE deal as long as the Frontline Plus is purchased from a veterinary hospital, so you can save a bundle.

We recommend you play it safe and go with the known product with a history of safe, effective flea control.