VETERINARY TEAM REFERENCE

DEA & state schedules

Scheduling applies to the medication, not to the patient. This independent reference is not affiliated with the DEA.

Nitenpyram

FEDERAL STATUS

Not federally scheduled

The identified ingredients in this entry are not listed in the reviewed federal schedules. Prescription-only status, product restrictions and state law are separate questions.

Federal source ↗

State / prescribing or dispensing jurisdiction

STATE STATUS

Select a jurisdiction

Choose the state relevant to prescribing or dispensing. Patient residence alone may not determine every applicable rule.

What each federal schedule means

Highlighted rows match the verified federal or selected state schedule. The schedule describes legal control and abuse potential; it does not rank clinical usefulness or establish a dose.

Federal Schedules I–V: meaning and practice implications
Schedule	Meaning and practice
I	High abuse potential; no currently accepted medical use in U.S. treatment; lacks accepted safety under medical supervision. In practice: Not available for routine veterinary prescribing. Authorized research is a separate pathway.
II	High abuse potential; accepted medical use, sometimes with severe restrictions; abuse can cause severe dependence. In practice: No prescription refills under federal law. Strict prescribing, security and record requirements apply.
III	Less abuse potential than I or II; accepted medical use; abuse can cause moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence. In practice: Federal prescriptions allow up to five authorized refills within six months. State rules may be stricter.
IV	Lower abuse potential than III; accepted medical use; limited dependence risk relative to III. In practice: The same federal five-refill / six-month prescription limit applies. Controlled-drug handling still applies.
V	Lower abuse potential than IV; accepted medical use; limited dependence risk relative to IV. In practice: Still controlled. Check authorized refills and state limits; do not automatically apply the III–IV refill rule.

What this means for the chart

For a controlled medication, confirm the prescriber’s authority for the applicable schedule, the exact formulation and quantity, authorized refills, secure handling, and required inventory / dispensing records. Check the state’s veterinary rules and any prescription monitoring program (PDMP) requirements or exemptions.

A PDMP reporting requirement does not by itself make a drug scheduled. “Not federally scheduled” does not mean over the counter, risk-free, or exempt from state law. States may use additional categories, such as Schedule VI, outside the federal I–V system.

← Medication & Supplement Reference

VETERINARY TEAM REFERENCE · MEDICATION

Nitenpyram

An oral adult-flea treatment identified by the Capstar brand. It addresses adult fleas on the animal and does not replace an ongoing flea prevention and environmental management plan.

Neonicotinoid adulticideProduct-specific clinical reference

Updated October 16, 2026 · Sources and review status below

For veterinarians and veterinary staff. Product-label information is distinct from extra-label clinical practice. This is not a complete prescribing formulary or an automated interaction screen. Verify the current label, exact formulation, patient and species-specific clinical reference before use. Independent veterinary/pharmacy review remains pending.

Prescribing overview

Rapid oral adult-flea treatment, not environmental flea control.

Key prescribing checks

The label covers dogs and cats at least four weeks old and at least two pounds.
Temporary scratching can occur as fleas die. The label also reports adverse events including gastrointestinal and neurologic signs; investigate marked or persistent signs.
A pet can become reinfested, so arrange longer-term parasite control with the veterinarian.

Uses by species

Approval and evidence apply to the named product, species, route and indication. An extra-label use requires its own prescribing assessment; a human indication is not an animal approval.

Dogs and cats

FDA-approved

Adult flea infestation

At least 4 weeks old and 2 lb.

Use / indication source ↗

Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics

Mechanism and clinical role

Kills adult fleas; activity begins within 30 minutes.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination

Animal-specific pharmacokinetic parameters were not established by the reviewed label.

SAFETY REFERENCE · PRODUCT & SPECIES SPECIFIC

Contraindications & cautions

Contraindications identify circumstances where the source says a product should not be used. Precautions call for assessment or monitoring. Interactions identify combinations to review. They are distinct categories; this summary does not replace a full interaction check or the current product label.

Capstar

Dogs and cats; oral nitenpyram tablets.

Contraindications · when not to use

A formal contraindication list is not established in the reviewed source for this scope. This does not establish safety; confirm the exact product and full labeling.

Precautions & monitoring

Restricted to animals at least 4 weeks old and 2 pounds; label explicitly prohibits administration below 2 pounds. Serious reported events were more frequent in very young, underweight or poorly conditioned animals.

Age and weight are label eligibility restrictions, not a separately headed contraindications section.

Safety sources checked: October 16, 2026. Selected label information; independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review remains pending. A label for dogs, cats, horses or humans does not establish safety for another species.

Adverse effects

Reported events include vomiting, lethargy, hyperactivity, tremors and seizures; spontaneous reports do not establish frequency.

These are selected source-reported effects, not incidence estimates or an exhaustive list. Spontaneous postmarketing reports do not by themselves establish frequency or causality.

Dosing & administration

Verify the source before prescribing. The regimens below summarize selected veterinary product labels, not every accepted veterinary use. They are not automatic substitutions between brands or formulations. Renal/hepatic disease, concurrent therapy, age, indication and clinical response can require a different plan.

Filter labeled species

Selected product-label regimens — not a patient-specific prescription
Species & indication	Labeled regimen	Eligibility & source
Dogs and catsAdult flea infestationCapstar 11.4 mg tablet	One tablet for 2–25 lb Oral · Single dose; may repeat as often as once daily for reinfestation As needed for reinfestation	At least 4 weeks old; never below 2 lb. Verify full dosing label ↗
DogsAdult flea infestationCapstar 57 mg tablet	One tablet for 25.1–125 lb Oral · Single dose; may repeat as often as once daily for reinfestation As needed for reinfestation	At least 4 weeks old. Verify full dosing label ↗

Weigh before selecting the tablet; this is not a monthly preventive.

Extra-label prescribing and food-animal residue requirements are separate from labeled regimens. FDA extra-label-use guidance ↗

Drug & supplement interactions

This is a selected interaction reference, not an automated or comprehensive combination checker. Reconcile prescription drugs, nonprescription products, supplements and recent treatment changes.

Capstar

Dogs and cats; oral nitenpyram tablets.

The label permits concurrent use with specified preventives, corticosteroids, antibiotics, vaccines and other flea products.

Interaction source ↗

Monitoring

Check current weight, age and general condition; investigate marked neurologic or respiratory signs.

Client counseling

Temporary scratching may accompany dying fleas. Treat household infestation sources.

This section supports the veterinary team's discharge discussion; it does not replace the product’s Client Information Sheet where one is required.

Storage & handling

Store at 15–25°C.

Brands, formulations & ingredient identity

Active ingredients

Nitenpyram

Capstar identifies nitenpyram; it is not an isoxazoline or heartworm preventive.

Different tablet presentations cover different weight ranges. Use the species, minimum age and weight requirements on the actual package.

Shared ingredients do not establish interchangeable concentrations, routes, release properties, species labeling or regional availability.

Capstar

Formulation: Oral tablets
Label / product scope: Dogs · Cats

Adult-flea product; package age and weight limits apply.

Product label / source ↗

References & review status

Clinical reference updated October 16, 2026. Independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review not yet completed. Evidence gaps remain explicitly identified; this page does not claim equivalence to a comprehensive, professionally reviewed veterinary formulary.

01Official prescribing information ↗

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Prescribing overview

Key prescribing checks

Uses by species

Dogs and cats

Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics

Mechanism and clinical role

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination

Contraindications & cautions

Contraindications · when not to use

Precautions & monitoring

Adverse effects

Dosing & administration

Drug & supplement interactions

Capstar

Monitoring

Client counseling

Storage & handling

Brands, formulations & ingredient identity

Active ingredients

Capstar

References & review status

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