NexGard vs Bravecto for dogs: flea and tick chews compared
NexGard (afoxolaner) and Bravecto (fluralaner) are the two best-known flea and tick chews for dogs. Both belong to the same drug class and need a veterinary prescription in the US; the practical difference is that NexGard is given monthly and Bravecto lasts about three months for most parasites.
Updated October 4, 2026
At a glance
- How often
- NexGard
- Once a month
- Bravecto
- Every 12 weeks for fleas and most ticks; every 8 weeks for lone star ticks
- Drug class
- NexGard
- Isoxazoline
- Bravecto
- Isoxazoline
- Heartworm prevention
- NexGard
- Not in plain NexGard; NexGard PLUS adds it
- Bravecto
- Not in the chew for dogs
- Minimum age and weight
- NexGard
- Set by the label for each product
- Bravecto
- Set by the label for each product
- Where to fill it
- NexGard
- Your vet, or a pharmacy that stocks veterinary products, on a prescription
- Bravecto
- The same
NexGard afoxolaner, a monthly chew | Bravecto fluralaner, a chew lasting about 12 weeks | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Once a month | Every 12 weeks for fleas and most ticks; every 8 weeks for lone star ticks |
| Drug class | Isoxazoline | Isoxazoline |
| Heartworm prevention | Not in plain NexGard; NexGard PLUS adds it | Not in the chew for dogs |
| Minimum age and weight | Set by the label for each product | Set by the label for each product |
| Where to fill it | Your vet, or a pharmacy that stocks veterinary products, on a prescription | The same |
Choosing between them
Both kill fleas and ticks effectively when given on schedule. Bravecto’s long interval means fewer doses to remember, while NexGard’s monthly dosing pairs naturally with a monthly heartworm preventive, or comes combined with one as NexGard PLUS. Your dog’s weight decides the size of chew for either, and the tick species in your area can decide the interval for Bravecto.
Safety
The FDA has advised that isoxazoline products can cause neurologic effects in some dogs, such as muscle tremors, wobbliness and seizures, including in dogs with no history of them. Most dogs have no problem, but tell your vet if your dog has ever had a seizure, and report any reaction. Give the chew with food and watch that your dog eats it all.
Cost
Both are priced by weight band, so the cost per month depends on your dog’s size and on the dosing interval. Pharmacies that stock veterinary products can fill either on your vet’s prescription, so asking your vet for a written prescription lets you compare prices.
Questions for your vet
- What should I watch for after the first dose?
- Should prevention continue all year where we live?
- Which product suits the parasites in our area?
- Does my dog also need a heartworm preventive?
- Is either a concern given my dog’s health history?
- Can you write a prescription I can fill at another pharmacy?
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Sources
- FDA, fact sheet on isoxazoline flea and tick products
- FDA, Animal Drugs @ FDA (approved veterinary labels)
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for you or your pet; your vet decides which medicine is right.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.