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Heartgard Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) from Boehringer Ingelheim is a real-beef, once-monthly prescription chew that prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls five species of intestinal worms — roundworms and hookworms — in dogs. It is approved for dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and older and has been a veterinarian-trusted heartworm preventive for decades.
Key facts
- Active ingredients: ivermectin (68, 136, or 272 mcg by size) and pyrantel (57, 114, or 227 mg by size)
- Species: dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and older; dogs over 100 lb use the appropriate combination of chewables
- Prevents: heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) by eliminating the tissue-stage larvae acquired during the prior month
- Treats and controls: roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense)
- Available sizes: Blue (up to 25 lb), Green (26–50 lb), and Brown (51–100 lb), in 1, 6, or 12-dose packs
- Form: real-beef chewable given once monthly
How to use
Give one chewable by mouth once a month, on or about the same day each month. Most dogs take it readily by hand, or it can be added to a small amount of food. Encourage chewing rather than swallowing whole — chewables may be broken into pieces — and watch your dog for a few minutes to be sure the full dose is consumed; redose if any is lost. Give the first dose within 30 days of first mosquito exposure and continue through the season, or year-round as your veterinarian recommends. Keep chewables in the foil blister card until use to protect them from light.
Safety information
All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting Heartgard Plus, with regular retesting as recommended by your veterinarian. At the labeled dose, Heartgard Plus has been tested in many breeds, including ivermectin-sensitive collies, without signs of toxicity. Digestive and neurologic side effects have rarely been reported. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Does Heartgard Plus kill fleas or ticks?
No. Heartgard Plus covers heartworm prevention and intestinal worms only. Pair it with a flea and tick product such as NexGard or Simparica.
Is a prescription required for Heartgard Plus?
Yes. Heartgard Plus is a prescription medication, so your veterinarian must authorize it under a valid vet-client-patient relationship, and a negative heartworm test is needed before starting.
What worms does Heartgard Plus protect against?
It prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls two species of roundworms and three species of hookworms — five intestinal worm species in total.
Is Heartgard Plus safe for collies?
Yes, at the labeled monthly dose. Heartgard Plus has been tested in ivermectin-sensitive collies at the recommended dose without signs of toxicity. Follow your veterinarian's dosing exactly.
What if I miss a dose?
Give Heartgard Plus right away and resume monthly dosing on the new schedule — prompt redosing minimizes the chance of adult heartworms developing. Ask your veterinarian whether a heartworm test is advised.
Where can I buy Heartgard Plus?
Order it from our Vetcove pharmacy store — it ships from our home pharmacy and Autoship savings are available.
Want flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal worm protection in a single monthly chew? See Simparica Trio or NexGard PLUS.