Is Lufenuron (insect growth regulator) safe for dogs and cats?
Low risk for petsLufenuron presents low risk to dogs at FDA-approved doses. Program and Sentinel monthly oral tablets have extensive field safety data demonstrating excellent tolerability in dogs across breeds and sizes. Unlike macrolide antiparasitics (milbemycin, selamectin), lufenuron does not interact with P-glycoprotein and poses no MDR1 breed-specific risk. Rare adverse events reported in post-marketing surveillance are non-specific (vomiting, lethargy) and not associated with the IGR mechanism. The lipophilic storage in fat depots and slow release provides the prolonged efficacy without peak concentration toxicity concerns. No significant drug interactions identified.
What is lufenuron (insect growth regulator)?
The IUPAC name is N-[[2,5-dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]carbamoyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide.
Also known as: N-[[2,5-dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]carbamoyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide, Lufenuron, Fluphenacur, Lufenurone.
- IUPAC name
- N-[[2,5-dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]carbamoyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide
- CAS number
- 103055-07-8
- Molecular formula
- C17H8Cl2F8N2O3
- Molecular weight
- 511.1 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)F)C(=O)NC(=O)NC2=CC(=C(C=C2Cl)OC(C(C(F)(F)F)F)(F)F)Cl)F
- PubChem CID
- 71777
Risk for dogs
Low riskLufenuron presents low risk to dogs at FDA-approved doses. Program and Sentinel monthly oral tablets have extensive field safety data demonstrating excellent tolerability in dogs across breeds and sizes. Unlike macrolide antiparasitics (milbemycin, selamectin), lufenuron does not interact with P-glycoprotein and poses no MDR1 breed-specific risk. Rare adverse events reported in post-marketing surveillance are non-specific (vomiting, lethargy) and not associated with the IGR mechanism. The lipophilic storage in fat depots and slow release provides the prolonged efficacy without peak concentration toxicity concerns. No significant drug interactions identified.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Lufenuron (insect growth regulator).
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2023 | Not evaluated by IARC — lufenuron is an FDA/CVM-approved veterinary insect growth regulator (benzoylphenylurea class; chitin synthesis inhibitor) for prevention of flea development in dogs and cats; also registered as a household/agricultural pesticide; no carcinogenicity classification by IARC, NTP, or EPA; highly selective toxicity to arthropods vs. vertebrates |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where pets encounter lufenuron (insect growth regulator)
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Lufenuron (insect growth regulator):
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is lufenuron (insect growth regulator) safe for pets?
Lufenuron presents low risk to dogs at FDA-approved doses. Program and Sentinel monthly oral tablets have extensive field safety data demonstrating excellent tolerability in dogs across breeds and sizes. Unlike macrolide antiparasitics (milbemycin, selamectin), lufenuron does not interact with P-glycoprotein and poses no MDR1 breed-specific risk. Rare adverse events reported in post-marketing surveillance are non-specific (vomiting, lethargy) and not associated with the IGR mechanism. The lipophilic storage in fat depots and slow release provides the prolonged efficacy without peak concentration toxicity concerns. No significant drug interactions identified.
What products contain lufenuron (insect growth regulator)?
Lufenuron (insect growth regulator) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
See Lufenuron (insect growth regulator) in the pets app
Look up products containing lufenuron (insect growth regulator), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in pets View raw API dataSources (1)
- Lufenuron Program Sentinel FDA CVM IGR Insect Growth Regulator; Chitin Synthase Inhibitor Benzoylphenylurea; Flea Egg Sterilization No Adult Kill; Fat Depot Storage Lipophilic Log Kow 5.1; EPA Pesticide Registration Vertebrate Low Toxicity No Carcinogenicity; Daphnia EC50 Sub-ug/L Aquatic Arthropod High Toxicity; Crustacean Exoskeleton Target; MDR1 No Concern; Cats 6-Month Injection Program; IARC Not Evaluated (2023) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →