Baby Safety / Compounds / Selamectin (Revolution)

Is Selamectin (Revolution) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Selamectin (Revolution) poses heightened risk.

What is selamectin (revolution)?

The IUPAC name is (1R,4S,5'S,6R,6'S,8R,10E,12S,13S,14E,16E,20R,21Z,24S)-6'-cyclohexyl-24-hydroxy-21-hydroxyimino-12-[(2R,4S,5S,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-5',11,13,22-tetramethylspiro[3,7,19-trioxatetracyclo[15.6.1.14,8.020,24]pentacosa-10,14,16,22-tetraene-6,2'-oxane]-2-one.

Also known as: (1R,4S,5'S,6R,6'S,8R,10E,12S,13S,14E,16E,20R,21Z,24S)-6'-cyclohexyl-24-hydroxy-21-hydroxyimino-12-[(2R,4S,5S,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-5',11,13,22-tetramethylspiro[3,7,19-trioxatetracyclo[15.6.1.14,8.020,24]pentacosa-10,14,16,22-tetraene-6,2'-oxane]-2-one, selamectin, Revolution, UK-124,114.

IUPAC name
(1R,4S,5'S,6R,6'S,8R,10E,12S,13S,14E,16E,20R,21Z,24S)-6'-cyclohexyl-24-hydroxy-21-hydroxyimino-12-[(2R,4S,5S,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-5',11,13,22-tetramethylspiro[3,7,19-trioxatetracyclo[15.6.1.14,8.020,24]pentacosa-10,14,16,22-tetraene-6,2'-oxane]-2-one
CAS number
220119-17-5
Molecular formula
C43H63NO11
Molecular weight
770.0 g/mol
SMILES
CC1CCC2(CC3CC(O2)CC=C(C(C(C=CC=C4COC5C4(C(C=C(C5=NO)C)C(=O)O3)O)C)OC6CC(C(C(O6)C)O)OC)C)OC1C7CCCCC7
PubChem CID
9578507

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Selamectin (Revolution) poses heightened risk.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Selamectin (Revolution) poses pregnancy risk through potential teratogenicity, altered pharmacokinetics (increased blood volume, changed CYP activity), and placental transfer. FDA pregnancy category should be evaluated.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Selamectin (Revolution).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2023Not evaluated by IARC — selamectin is an FDA/CVM-approved topical spot-on veterinary macrolide antiparasitic for dogs and cats; chemically a semisynthetic avermectin derivative; treats and prevents fleas, heartworm, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, and ticks; MDR1/ABCB1 breed sensitivity applies; no carcinogenicity classification

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter selamectin (revolution)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Selamectin (Revolution):

  • Alternative drug class; Non-pharmacological therapy; Lowest effective dose
    Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is selamectin (revolution) safe for kids?

Infants have immature drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 ontogeny), reduced renal clearance, and different volume of distribution. Accidental exposure or breast milk transfer of Selamectin (Revolution) poses heightened risk.

What products contain selamectin (revolution)?

Selamectin (Revolution) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to selamectin (revolution)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Selamectin (Revolution) in the baby app

Look up products containing selamectin (revolution), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. Selamectin Revolution Zoetis FDA CVM Topical Spot-On; Monosaccharide Avermectin GluCl Chloride Channel; Flea Heartworm Ear Mite Sarcoptic Mange Tick Dogs Cats; Sebaceous Gland Depot Transdermal 4.4% Bioavailability; MDR1 ABCB1 Lower Risk Topical vs Oral; Human Skin Contact Wash Hands Post-Application; Log Kow 7.7 Aquatic Daphnia Ecotoxicity; Bathing Swimming Caution Post-Application (2023) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →