⚠️ FOR LARGE DOGS ONLY (25 to 125 lbs) — This formulation contains 57 mg of nitenpyram, a dose
5 times stronger than the standard version.
Never give to cats, small dogs (under 25 lbs), or puppies under 4 weeks old — risk of overdose. For smaller animals, use the Capstar 11.4 mg version.
💡 Capstar is an emergency treatment, not a monthly preventative. It works within 30 minutes to eliminate active fleas, but offers
no protection against future infestations. For continuous protection, combine it with a monthly topical treatment like Advantage II or K9 Advantix II.
Who is this product for?
Large-format Capstar is a
fast-acting oral flea treatment for
dogs weighing 25 to 125 lbs (11.4 to 56.7 kg), aged 4 weeks and older. It is particularly suitable in the following situations:
-
Discovery of an active infestation — you see fleas on your dog and want to eliminate them immediately
-
Adopted or rescued dog — to treat quickly before introducing them to your home
-
Return from daycare, boarding, or day camp — to avoid introducing fleas into your home
-
Dog park outing — eliminates fleas picked up on site before they reproduce
-
Dog show, salon, or competition — to limit the risk of infestation after the event
-
Before a road trip — to avoid infesting your vehicle
-
Initial knock-down at the beginning of a monthly topical treatment program — accelerates the elimination of existing fleas
-
Dogs that do not tolerate topical products — oral alternative for sensitive skin
Key Benefits
-
Ultra-fast action: kills adult fleas within
4 hours of administration
-
Convenient oral format — no risk of licking between animals, no drying time, no residue on the coat
- Safe for pregnant or lactating females
-
Can be administered daily safely in case of re-infestation
-
Compatible with monthly topical treatments — does not replace, but complements
-
Ideal for active dogs frequenting parks, trails, lakes, and cabins
Active Ingredient
-
Nitenpyram 57 mg per tablet — a neuro-active insecticide that paralyzes and kills adult fleas by ingestion. When the flea bites your treated dog, it ingests the active ingredient and dies within a few hours.
Mechanism of Action
Capstar works
from the inside out. Once administered orally, nitenpyram is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. When a flea bites your dog, it ingests the active ingredient and dies within a few hours.
Unlike monthly topical treatments, Capstar has
no residual effect — it is eliminated from the body within 24-48 hours. This means it does not protect against fleas that arrive the next day. For continuous protection, it must be combined with a monthly topical treatment.
Directions for Use
- Administer the tablet directly into your dog's mouth, OR hidden in a small amount of palatable food
- Ensure the dog swallows the entire tablet
- Your dog will start scratching intensely 20 to 60 minutes after administration — this is
normal and expected, it is the fleas reacting to their death
- If necessary, it can be repeated
once a day until the infestation is resolved
- For long-term protection, immediately start a monthly topical treatment
⚠️ Important — why Capstar alone is not enough
To understand why Capstar alone is not enough to eliminate a long-term infestation, you need to know
the flea life cycle:
- Only
5% of the flea population in your environment is in adult form (on your dog)
- The
remaining 95% are eggs, larvae, and pupae hidden in carpets, floors, bedding, and furniture
- Capstar kills the 5% adults within a few hours, but
the 95% will continue to hatch for several weeks
- Without monthly preventative treatment or environmental cleaning, the infestation will return
Recommended solution: Capstar + monthly topical treatment + washing all bedding in hot water + intensive vacuuming of the entire house (then discard the bag).
Choosing the Right Capstar by Weight
| Pet Weight |
Recommended Format |
2 to 25 lbs (0.9 to 11.3 kg) Cats, kittens, small dogs, and puppies |
Capstar 11.4 mg for Small Dogs and Cats |
25 to 125 lbs (11.4 to 56.7 kg) Large dogs only |
This product (Capstar 57 mg) |
Important Precautions
-
For dogs 25 lbs and over only, aged 4 weeks and older
-
Never give to cats, kittens, small dogs, or puppies — risk of overdose
- Safe for pregnant or lactating females
-
Intense scratching after administration is normal — it is the fleas dying, not an allergic reaction
- Consult your veterinarian before use if your dog is sick, on medication, or has a medical condition
- In case of unusual adverse reaction (vomiting, marked lethargy, prolonged loss of appetite), consult a veterinarian
- Capstar does not protect against
ticks, lice, mosquitoes, or other parasites — only fleas
- Keep out of reach of children
Package Contents
6 fast-acting tablets. Ideal for 6 sporadic uses or for an intensive 6-day consecutive treatment in case of severe infestation.
Combine with a Monthly Preventative Treatment
For optimal protection against fleas (and more), combine Capstar with a monthly topical treatment suitable for your dog:
Storage
Store at room temperature, in its original packaging. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
Important notice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a veterinarian. If the infestation persists or if your dog shows signs of illness, consult your veterinarian.