Recently, a post circulated showing a NexGard Spectra tablet sealed inside a small plastic ziplock.
No box.
No leaflet.
Different weight range printed on the foil.
At first glance, people commented:
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“As long as the weight matches.”
“My puppy took that too.”
But this is exactly where many owners get misled.
The product shown is most likely not the NexGard Spectra officially registered and distributed in the Philippines — and that matters, because parasites and medicines are not something we should gamble with.
I reported the lot number to Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines for investigation.
This is not about scaring people — it’s about safety.
What NexGard Spectra Should Look Like
NexGard Spectra is a prescription-only monthly chewable that contains:
• Afoxolaner — kills fleas and ticks
• Milbemycin oxime — prevents heartworm and treats intestinal worms
In the Philippines, the registered pack has:
✔ proper branded box
✔ a complete blister (not cut up)
✔ patient leaflet
✔ manufacturer and distributor information
✔ correct weight category labeling (e.g., 2–3.5 kg)
✔ sold through veterinarians or authorized sellers only
Anything that arrives:
✘ repacked into ziplocks
✘ without a box
✘ with weight ranges not registered locally
✘ sold cheaply online “per tablet”
should immediately raise suspicion.
Why Counterfeit or “Grey-Market” Tablets Are Risky
The Dosage May Be Wrong
Counterfeit or diverted products may contain:
• too little active ingredient
• too much
• none at all
• or a completely different chemical
Too little = no protection.
Your dog remains exposed to:
• fleas and ticks
• intestinal parasites
• deadly heartworm disease
Heartworm prevention failure is something we see — and it is expensive and painful to treat.
Poor Quality or Unsafe Ingredients
Even genuine afoxolaner products can rarely cause side effects — which is why manufacturers strictly control dosing and quality.
Fake or poorly handled tablets may cause:
• vomiting or diarrhea
• weakness and lethargy
• tremors or wobbliness
• seizures
• allergic reactions
• organ damage in severe cases
Once swallowed, we no longer know what is inside the tablet — and there is no company accountability.
No Traceability, No Protection, No Warranty
When you buy from informal sellers:
❌ the source cannot be traced
❌ storage conditions are unknown (heat damages medicines)
❌ expiry dates may be altered
❌ labels can be reprinted
❌ there is no medical or legal support if something goes wrong
Veterinary manufacturers guarantee safety and efficacy only when the product is purchased legally through approved distribution channels.
“But It’s Cheaper Online…”
That is exactly how counterfeit markets thrive.
Pet owners assume:
“Same product. Just cheaper.”
But counterfeit veterinary medicine is not like buying a cheap leash or collar.
This is medication that enters the bloodstream.
Saving ₱200–₱300 now can lead to:
• emergency treatment
• hospitalization
• expensive diagnostics
• sometimes, death
Cheap today.
Very costly later.
For Pet Owners — How to Protect Your Dog
✔ buy from your veterinarian or authorized outlets
✔ ask to see the box and blister
✔ avoid “per piece” or repacked products
✔ check weight range, batch number, and expiry
✔ if unsure — ask your vet before giving it
If your dog already took a suspicious tablet and shows:
• vomiting
• shaking
• weakness
• seizures
• abnormal behavior
go to your veterinarian immediately.
For Vets — How We Should Approach This
• do not endorse suspicious tablets
• educate owners kindly — most do not know
• document the lot number and packaging
• report suspected fakes to distributors and regulators
• monitor dogs that already ingested the product
We are not “gatekeeping.”
We are protecting patients, the profession, and public trust.
Final Message
NexGard Spectra is a powerful, reliable product — when genuine.
But once it appears in ziplock bags, with unfamiliar labeling and unclear origin, it stops being medicine…
…and becomes a risk.
Let’s choose safety, transparency, and responsible veterinary care — always.
