Why Bravecto® Tablets Are Advised After Meals
By Dr. Geoff Carullo, DVM, FPCCP, DPCVSCA
Bravecto is widely trusted for long lasting flea and tick control in dogs, offering protection for up to 12 weeks with a single dose. One instruction that often seems simple but is actually very important is this: Bravecto should be given with or just after a proper meal. This advice is not just for comfort or habit. It is rooted in pharmacology.
Bravecto and How It Works in the Body
Bravecto contains fluralaner, an isoxazoline compound that is fat soluble. This single property explains almost everything about why food matters.
When a dog eats a normal or full meal, several things happen inside the digestive system:
- Bile secretion increases
- Fat digestion is activated
- Fat-soluble drugs are absorbed more efficiently from the intestine
Fluralaner depends on this process to reach optimal blood levels.
What Happens When Bravecto Is Given After Meals
When Bravecto is administered with or just after food:
- Absorption from the gut improves
- Blood concentrations become higher and more stable
- The drug is distributed properly into tissues
- The full 12-week duration of protection is more reliably achieved
This is why label and clinical recommendations consistently advise giving Bravecto around mealtime.
What Happens If Bravecto Is Given on an Empty Stomach
When Bravecto is given without food:
- Bile secretion is lower
- Absorption of fluralaner can decrease
- Blood levels may become less consistent
- Duration of protection may be shorter than expected in some dogs
This does not mean Bravecto will fail immediately, but it may not perform at its best — especially in larger dogs or in high parasite-pressure environments.
Why a Snack or Biscuit Is Not Enough
A small treat or biscuit does not trigger the same digestive response as a real meal.
- Fat intake is usually insufficient
- Bile release may be minimal
- Drug absorption may still be suboptimal
For Bravecto, the recommendation is a proper meal, not just a reward or snack.
Practical Advice for Clinics and Pet Owners
- Give Bravecto during or immediately after a full meal
- Ensure the dog fully chews and swallows the tablet
- Avoid administering on a completely empty stomach
- If vomiting occurs shortly after dosing, reassess timing and consult a veterinarian
Clinical Takeaway
Bravecto’s long duration is not only about the molecule itself. It also depends on how it is given. Because fluralaner is fat soluble, food plays a critical role in absorption and long-term efficacy. Giving Bravecto after meals is a simple step that protects both the dog and the veterinarian’s treatment plan.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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