Lotilaner, a pure enantiomer from the isoxazoline class, is active against fleas (Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis) and ticks (Ixodes ricinus).

Lotilaner is a potent inhibitor of gamma–aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels, resulting in rapid death of ticks and fleas. In in vitro studies, the activity of lotilaner against some arthropod species was not affected by resistance to organochlorines (cyclodienes, e.g. dieldrin), phenylpyrazoles (e.g. fipronil), neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid), formamidines (e.g. amitraz) and pyrethroids (e.g. cypermethrin).

For fleas, the onset of efficacy is within 12 hours of attachment for one month after product administration. Fleas on the animal prior to administration are killed within 8 hours.

For ticks, the onset of efficacy is within 24 hours of attachment for one month after product administration. Existing ticks on the animal prior to administration are killed within 18 hours.

The veterinary medicinal product kills existing and newly emerged fleas on cats before they can lay eggs. Therefore, the product breaks the flea life cycle and prevents environmental flea contamination in areas to which the cat has access.

Following oral administration, lotilaner is readily absorbed and peak blood concentration is reached at 4 hours. Lotilaner is approximately 10 times more bioavailable when administered with food. The terminal half-life is approximately 4 weeks (harmonic mean). This terminal half-life provides effective blood concentrations for the entire duration of the inter-dosing interval.

The major route of elimination is biliary excretion, and renal excretion is the minor route of elimination (less than 10 % of the dose). Lotilaner is metabolized to a small extent into more hydrophilic compounds, which are observed in faeces and urine.