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Top 5 Prescription Antiparasitic Agents for Dogs in Canada (2025) — Veterinarian-Reviewed Guide to Protecting Your Dog and Managing Resistance with Simparica Trio, Bravecto, NexGard Spectra, Revolution Plus & Interceptor Plus

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Prescription antiparasitic agents treat internal and external parasites in dogs, including nematodes, cestodes, ticks, fleas and mites, using targeted endoparasiticides and ectoparasiticides. In Canada, current market trends emphasize resistance management, combination therapies that cover multiple parasite groups, and long-acting systemic formulations that improve owner compliance and animal welfare. Consumers choose prescription products for veterinary oversight, proven clinical effectiveness, simplified dosing schedules (monthly or multi-month), and formulations that combine heartworm, intestinal parasite and ectoparasite protection in a single dose. Cost, safety profile for different life stages, breed-specific considerations, and regional parasite prevalence (for example, tick hotspots) also strongly shape purchasing decisions.

Quick Menu

1. Best All-in-One Prescription Trio

2. Best Long-Acting Tick Protection (Prescription)

3. Best Broad-Spectrum Monthly Chew (Prescription)

4. Best Topical Multi-Parasite Prescription

5. Best Heartworm & Intestinal Focus (Prescription)

1
BEST ALL-IN-ONE PRESCRIPTION TRIO

Simparica Trio

Simparica Trio

Simparica Trio (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel) is positioned as a best-in-class monthly chewable for prescription antiparasitic care because it combines flea/tick control with heartworm prevention and intestinal worm treatment in a single product, reducing the need for multiple prescriptions. Compared with single-focus competitors on this list, its technical advantage is comprehensive multi-parasite protection in one dose, which can lower overall annual cost and improve owner compliance for canine antiparasitic regimens.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Triple-action protection

  • Monthly chewable dose

  • Triple-action protection

  • Monthly chewable dose

Review Summary

91.2%

"Users report Simparica Trio is highly effective at preventing fleas, ticks, heartworm, and common intestinal worms with a palatable chew and fast action; occasional mild GI or neurologic side effects are reported but are uncommon."

  • Pup-approved snack

  • Monthly oral chewable combining sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel for fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Pup-approved snack

  • Monthly oral chewable combining sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel for fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Simparica Trio (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel) is positioned as a best-in-class monthly chewable for prescription antiparasitic care because it combines flea/tick control with heartworm prevention and intestinal worm treatment in a single product, reducing the need for multiple prescriptions. Compared with single-focus competitors on this list, its technical advantage is comprehensive multi-parasite protection in one dose, which can lower overall annual cost and improve owner compliance for canine antiparasitic regimens.

  • Triple-action protection

  • Monthly chewable dose

  • Pup-approved snack

  • Monthly oral chewable combining sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel for fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Designed as a single prescription product to simplify year-round parasite control for most dogs.

  • Triple-action protection

  • Monthly chewable dose

  • Pup-approved snack

  • Monthly oral chewable combining sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel for fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Designed as a single prescription product to simplify year-round parasite control for most dogs.

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$200-350 CAD

2
BEST LONG-ACTING TICK PROTECTION (PRESCRIPTION)

Bravecto

Bravecto

Bravecto (fluralaner) is a market leader due to its long-acting efficacy — up to 12 weeks per dose for many flea and tick indications — offering superior dosing convenience for prescription antiparasitic care. While it does not provide heartworm or broad intestinal parasite prevention like some combination products listed here, its reduced dosing frequency can translate to better compliance and lower touchpoint costs for owners who combine it with separate internal parasite coverage.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • 12-week protection

  • Chew or topical

  • 12-week protection

  • Chew or topical

Review Summary

87.5%

"Bravecto is praised for its long-lasting (up to 12-week) flea and tick protection and convenience, with many owners noting strong effectiveness; a small minority report adverse reactions, including GI or neurologic events."

  • Quarterly freedom

  • Provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection per dose using the active ingredient fluralaner.

  • Quarterly freedom

  • Provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection per dose using the active ingredient fluralaner.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Bravecto (fluralaner) is a market leader due to its long-acting efficacy — up to 12 weeks per dose for many flea and tick indications — offering superior dosing convenience for prescription antiparasitic care. While it does not provide heartworm or broad intestinal parasite prevention like some combination products listed here, its reduced dosing frequency can translate to better compliance and lower touchpoint costs for owners who combine it with separate internal parasite coverage.

  • 12-week protection

  • Chew or topical

  • Quarterly freedom

  • Provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection per dose using the active ingredient fluralaner.

  • Available as an oral chew or topical formulation depending on product version and dog preference.

  • 12-week protection

  • Chew or topical

  • Quarterly freedom

  • Provides up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection per dose using the active ingredient fluralaner.

  • Available as an oral chew or topical formulation depending on product version and dog preference.

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$180-450 CAD

3
BEST BROAD-SPECTRUM MONTHLY CHEW (PRESCRIPTION)

NexGard Spectra

NexGard Spectra

NexGard Spectra (afoxolaner/milbemycin oxime) holds a strong market position as a monthly chewable that pairs robust ectoparasite control with protection against heartworm and several intestinal parasites, giving it a technical profile similar to other combos but with a different active-ingredient mix. Financially competitive against other combination products, it offers clinics and owners an alternative single-prescription option that avoids the need for separate heartworm or deworming products while matching many of the protection features of rivals.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Broad-spectrum coverage

  • Monthly beef chew

  • Broad-spectrum coverage

  • Monthly beef chew

Review Summary

88.8%

"NexGard Spectra is frequently rated effective and easy to administer monthly for fleas, ticks, and internal parasites, with most dogs accepting the chew; some users note occasional vomiting or decreased appetite."

  • Parasite combo hero

  • Monthly chewable that combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to treat fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Parasite combo hero

  • Monthly chewable that combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to treat fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

NexGard Spectra (afoxolaner/milbemycin oxime) holds a strong market position as a monthly chewable that pairs robust ectoparasite control with protection against heartworm and several intestinal parasites, giving it a technical profile similar to other combos but with a different active-ingredient mix. Financially competitive against other combination products, it offers clinics and owners an alternative single-prescription option that avoids the need for separate heartworm or deworming products while matching many of the protection features of rivals.

  • Broad-spectrum coverage

  • Monthly beef chew

  • Parasite combo hero

  • Monthly chewable that combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to treat fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Prescription product offering convenient monthly dosing for comprehensive external and internal parasite control.

  • Broad-spectrum coverage

  • Monthly beef chew

  • Parasite combo hero

  • Monthly chewable that combines afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime to treat fleas, ticks, heartworm prevention and common intestinal worms.

  • Prescription product offering convenient monthly dosing for comprehensive external and internal parasite control.

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$200-360 CAD

4
BEST TOPICAL MULTI-PARASITE PRESCRIPTION

Revolution Plus

Revolution Plus

Revolution Plus (selamectin/sarolaner) is notable for bringing broad-spectrum, topical monthly protection to the prescription antiparasitic category, combining heartworm prevention with flea, tick and mite control in a non-oral formulation. Its technical advantage is being a topical alternative for dogs that resist chews or require multi-species household management, though topicals may command different pricing and administration preferences versus oral combos on this list.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Topical monthly ease

  • Covers mites & fleas

  • Topical monthly ease

  • Covers mites & fleas

Review Summary

85.3%

"Revolution Plus topical gets solid marks for broad parasite coverage (fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and some worms) and ease of use, though a subset of owners report local skin reactions or concerns about effectiveness on certain tick species."

  • Bath-friendly formula

  • Topical monthly treatment combining selamectin and sarolaner to control fleas, ticks, ear mites, and prevent heartworm.

  • Bath-friendly formula

  • Topical monthly treatment combining selamectin and sarolaner to control fleas, ticks, ear mites, and prevent heartworm.

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Revolution Plus (selamectin/sarolaner) is notable for bringing broad-spectrum, topical monthly protection to the prescription antiparasitic category, combining heartworm prevention with flea, tick and mite control in a non-oral formulation. Its technical advantage is being a topical alternative for dogs that resist chews or require multi-species household management, though topicals may command different pricing and administration preferences versus oral combos on this list.

  • Topical monthly ease

  • Covers mites & fleas

  • Bath-friendly formula

  • Topical monthly treatment combining selamectin and sarolaner to control fleas, ticks, ear mites, and prevent heartworm.

  • Useful for dogs that cannot take oral chews or where topical delivery is preferred by the veterinarian.

  • Topical monthly ease

  • Covers mites & fleas

  • Bath-friendly formula

  • Topical monthly treatment combining selamectin and sarolaner to control fleas, ticks, ear mites, and prevent heartworm.

  • Useful for dogs that cannot take oral chews or where topical delivery is preferred by the veterinarian.

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$240-480 CAD

5
BEST HEARTWORM & INTESTINAL FOCUS (PRESCRIPTION)

Interceptor Plus

Interceptor Plus

Interceptor Plus (milbemycin oxime/praziquantel) is a prescription-focused choice for clinics prioritizing internal parasite control, offering dependable monthly heartworm prevention and broad-spectrum intestinal parasite (including tapeworm) treatment. Unlike the ectoparasite-covering products in this list, its technical and financial niche is targeted, cost-effective internal parasite management that is often prescribed alongside a separate flea/tick product when comprehensive protection is required.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Comprehensive worm control

  • Monthly palatable tablet

  • Comprehensive worm control

  • Monthly palatable tablet

Review Summary

83.7%

"Interceptor Plus is generally viewed as effective for heartworm and intestinal parasite control with a familiar monthly dosing, but some owners dislike pill administration and a minority report mild side effects like vomiting or lethargy."

  • Tapeworm terminator

  • Monthly tablet (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel) focused on heartworm prevention and treatment of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.

  • Tapeworm terminator

  • Monthly tablet (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel) focused on heartworm prevention and treatment of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.

Increased Safety & Security

Interceptor Plus (milbemycin oxime/praziquantel) is a prescription-focused choice for clinics prioritizing internal parasite control, offering dependable monthly heartworm prevention and broad-spectrum intestinal parasite (including tapeworm) treatment. Unlike the ectoparasite-covering products in this list, its technical and financial niche is targeted, cost-effective internal parasite management that is often prescribed alongside a separate flea/tick product when comprehensive protection is required.

  • Comprehensive worm control

  • Monthly palatable tablet

  • Tapeworm terminator

  • Monthly tablet (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel) focused on heartworm prevention and treatment of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.

  • Cost-effective prescription option when primary concern is internal parasites rather than fleas or ticks.

  • Comprehensive worm control

  • Monthly palatable tablet

  • Tapeworm terminator

  • Monthly tablet (milbemycin oxime + praziquantel) focused on heartworm prevention and treatment of tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.

  • Cost-effective prescription option when primary concern is internal parasites rather than fleas or ticks.

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$120-260 CAD

What the Research Shows

A growing body of clinical trials, field studies and pharmacology research supports the use of modern companion-animal antiparasitic agents. Research highlights the effectiveness of isoxazoline-class drugs (active against fleas and ticks), macrocyclic lactones and related endectocides (effective against heartworm and many intestinal nematodes), and the role of targeted cestocide agents (for tapeworms). Studies emphasize that combination therapies and correct dosing schedules reduce parasite burden, lower the risk of zoonotic transmission, and improve owner adherence. Evidence also supports rotating strategies and integrated parasite control (environmental measures, topical or systemic products, and routine screening) as tools to slow resistance development.

Isoxazoline compounds (examples in this category: sarolaner, afoxolaner, fluralaner) show rapid onset flea kill and sustained tick control in randomized field trials, improving protection and reducing vector-borne disease risk.

Macrocyclic lactones and related endoparasiticides (moxidectin, milbemycin oxime) demonstrate strong efficacy for heartworm prevention and control of common nematodes in multi-centre clinical studies when used at recommended intervals.

Combination products that pair ectoparasiticides with endoparasiticides (for example, flea/tick plus intestinal parasite prevention) increase convenience and adherence, which real-world adherence studies link to better parasite control at the population level.

Praziquantel-containing products remain the standard for tapeworm (cestode) treatment and are supported by consistent efficacy data when used at label doses.

Peer-reviewed reviews and veterinary guidelines recommend integrated parasite management — combining regular veterinary screening, products chosen for local parasite risks, environmental control, and attention to resistance signals — to preserve long-term effectiveness of prescription agents.

In the Canadian context, these prescription options each address important parasite threats: Simparica Trio (broad monthly protection combining sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel), Bravecto (long-acting fluralaner formulations for extended flea and tick control), NexGard Spectra (monthly afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime for ectoparasites and some endoparasites), Revolution Plus (combination approaches for multi-parasite control) and Interceptor Plus (milbemycin oxime with praziquantel for heartworm and tapeworm protection). For most Canadian dogs needing wide-spectrum, single-product monthly protection and high owner adherence, Simparica Trio is often the best choice among these five on this page, though region-specific risks, individual dog health and veterinary guidance should determine final selection. We hope you found what you were looking for — refine or expand your search using the site search to compare dosing, safety, and region-specific recommendations.

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