FrontPro

What Is FRONTPRO?

FRONTPRO is a beef-flavoured chewable flea and tick tablet for dogs, made by Boehringer Ingelheim — the same company behind the trusted FRONTLINE family of parasite treatments. It's classified as NFA-VPS in the UK, which means no formal vet prescription is required, but it still needs to be supplied by a registered vet, pharmacist, or suitably qualified person.

One tablet works for a full month against ticks — and up to five weeks against fleas. Because it works through your dog's bloodstream, swimming, bathing, and shampooing don't affect it at all.

The active ingredient is afoxolaner, and FRONTPRO comes in four weight-specific strengths so every dog gets exactly the right dose.

How Does FRONTPRO Work?

FRONTPRO works from the inside out. Once your dog chews the tablet, afoxolaner is absorbed into the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. When a flea or tick attaches and starts feeding, it ingests the active ingredient through the blood — and that triggers overstimulation of its nervous system, causing paralysis and death.

So here's the catch worth knowing: the parasite does need to start feeding to be affected. FRONTPRO isn't a repellent — it's a killer. Fleas and ticks will still land on your dog, but they won't survive the feed.

According to the official VMD product information, FRONTPRO delivers rapid elimination — killing fleas within 8 hours and ticks within 48 hours. Crucially, fleas are killed before they can lay eggs — which means the tablet doesn't just protect your dog, it also helps stop a flea infestation taking hold in your home.

The upside of this approach is real, though. Nothing is sitting on the skin or coat, no residue to worry about, no handling precautions after application, and no risk of the treatment washing off.

FRONTPRO is licensed to kill two flea species — Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis — and four tick species: the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus), the hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus), Dermacentor reticulatus, and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

Beyond standard infestations, if your vet has already confirmed a diagnosis of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), FRONTPRO can be a useful part of managing it long term.

FRONTPRO Dosage by Dog Weight

Dosing is based strictly on your dog's body weight. The SPC recommends weighing your dog accurately before each treatment — never estimate. Underdosing doesn't just mean weaker protection; over time it can also contribute to parasite resistance, making treatments less effective for all dogs.

Tablets shouldn't be divided. If your dog is right on the boundary between two weight bands, speak to your pharmacist — they'll confirm the right choice.

For larger dogs over 50 kg, a tailored combination of tablets is needed to reach the correct dose — your pharmacist can guide you on the right combination.

Pack Sizes & Treatment Duration

FRONTPRO is available in three pack sizes so you can match your purchase to how long you need cover.

Note: not every pack size will be stocked at every retailer. Check the product listings above for what's currently available.

Is FRONTPRO Safe for Dogs?

Yes — FRONTPRO has a well-established safety profile. In clinical studies, healthy puppies over 8 weeks old were given five times the maximum dose, repeated six times at intervals of two to four weeks. No adverse reactions were observed.

There are also no known interactions between afoxolaner and other veterinary medications. So if your dog is already taking other treatments, FRONTPRO is unlikely to cause any conflicts — but it's always good practice to mention everything your dog is on when you speak to your pharmacist.

Pregnancy and lactation: FRONTPRO can be used safely in pregnant and lactating female dogs.

Breeding females: Safe to use.

Breeding males: Safety hasn't been fully established in male breeding dogs — consult your vet or pharmacist before use.

Water exposure: Because FRONTPRO works systemically through the bloodstream, swimming and bathing have no impact on how well it works.

Side Effects of FRONTPRO

Most dogs handle FRONTPRO without any issues. Side effects are classified as very rare — meaning fewer than 1 in 10,000 dogs treated. Where they do occur, they're typically mild and short-lived.

Reported side effects include:

• Mild stomach upset — things like vomiting or loose stools
• Temporary loss of appetite
• Itching or skin irritation (pruritus)
• Lethargy
• Neurological signs — muscle tremors, unsteady movement (ataxia), or in very rare cases, convulsions

The vast majority of reported reactions resolved on their own without any treatment needed. If you notice anything unusual after giving your dog FRONTPRO, contact your vet or pharmacist for guidance.

When Not to Use FRONTPRO

FRONTPRO has a short list of contraindications, which is actually a good sign — it means the safety profile is straightforward.

Avoid FRONTPRO if your dog has a confirmed allergy to afoxolaner or any of the ingredients listed on the packaging.

Speak to a vet or pharmacist before use if:

• Your dog is under 8 weeks old or weighs less than 2 kg — there isn't enough safety data for this group yet, so professional guidance is recommended
• Your dog is a breeding male — safety in male breeding dogs hasn't been formally established

That's it. FRONTPRO does not carry contraindications for pregnancy or lactation — it's confirmed safe for use in breeding females, pregnant dogs, and nursing mothers.

One thing to be aware of for the environment: Afoxolaner is mainly excreted in your dog's faeces and can be harmful to aquatic organisms. Always bag and bin your dog's waste — don't let it wash into drains or water courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does FRONTPRO need a prescription?

No. FRONTPRO is classified NFA-VPS in the UK, which means you don't need a formal vet prescription to buy it. It does still need to be supplied by a registered vet, pharmacist, or suitably qualified person — which is exactly what we are. We stock it here as a VMD-registered veterinary retailer.

Is FRONTPRO the same as NexGard?

Both products contain afoxolaner and are made by the same company — Boehringer Ingelheim. The difference is purely in UK legal classification: NexGard is a POM-V (prescription required), while FRONTPRO is NFA-VPS (no prescription needed). Same manufacturer, same active ingredient — but FRONTPRO is easier to buy.

How long does one FRONTPRO tablet last?

Against ticks, one tablet protects for one month. Against fleas, the licensed killing activity extends up to five weeks. For continuous protection, re-dose monthly throughout the flea and tick season — or year-round if your dog is at regular risk.

Does bathing or swimming affect FRONTPRO?

No. Because FRONTPRO is absorbed into the bloodstream rather than sitting on the coat or skin, water exposure doesn't affect how well it works at all.

Can FRONTPRO be used alongside other medications?

There are currently no known drug interactions with afoxolaner. That said, always let your pharmacist know what else your dog is taking — supplements, spot-ons, joint medications, anything — so they can give you the most accurate advice for your dog's specific situation.

Can I use FRONTPRO on my puppy?

FRONTPRO is suitable for puppies aged 8 weeks and over, weighing at least 2 kg. If your puppy is younger or lighter than this, check with your vet before use — there isn't enough data available for that age and weight group yet.

What flea and tick species does FRONTPRO protect against?

FRONTPRO is licensed to kill Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis — the two most common flea species affecting dogs in the UK. For ticks, it covers Ixodes ricinus (the sheep tick), Ixodes hexagonus (the hedgehog tick), Dermacentor reticulatus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (the brown dog tick). The tick species list was updated in the May 2026 VMD SPC revision.

Information on this page is based on the FRONTPRO Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) as published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), last revised May 2026 (AN: 01936/2025), and the NOAH Compendium listing for FRONTPRO chewable tablets for dogs (Great Britain).

References

SPC-verified against NOAH Compendium | Boehringer Ingelheim | VMD SPC (AN: 01936/2025)