Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension

Albendazole

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: oral suspension. Distribution category: POM-VPS (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Albendazole.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension need a prescription?
Status not established. Neither the leaflet nor the law settles how this drug is dispensed, and we do not guess.
Which animals is Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension for?
Cattle, Sheep.1
What is the active substance in Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension?
Albendazole. ATCvet code: QP52AC11.13
What is the withdrawal period of Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension according to the leaflet?
Cattle, meat: 14 days; Cattle, milk: 60 h; Sheep, meat: 5 days.3
Dispensing
Status not established

POM-VPS: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. Prescription only, but the prescription may come from a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist or a suitably qualified person (SQP, a registered animal-medicine adviser), and they may supply it.12

Animal species
Cattle1, Sheep1
Active substance
Albendazole
ATCvet code
QP52AC113
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Chanelle Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Ltd

Withdrawal period

Animal speciesProductdays
Cattlemeat143
Cattlemilk60 h3
Sheepmeat53
Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Active substance

Albendazole 2.5% w/v

Excipients:

Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate 0.2% w/v

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate 0.02% w/v

Copper chlorophyll complex E 141 0.23% w/v

Other relevant Constituents:

Sodium selenite 0.059% w/v

(equivalent to 0.027% Se)

Cobalt sulphate 0.298% w/v

(equivalent to 0.063% Co)

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

6.1 List of excipients:

Copper Chlorophyll Complex Sodium E141

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate

Sodium selenite

Cobalt sulfate

Citric Acid Monohydrate (for pH adjustment)

Sodium citrate dihydrate (for pH adjustment)

Xanthan Gum

Povidone 90

Polysorbate 20

Simethicone Emulsion

Propylene Glycol

Water Purified

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Pharmaceutical form

Oral suspension.

A pale green, free-flowing.

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintics; Benzimidazoles and related substances.

ATC vet code: QP52AC11

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs. Benzimidazoles bind to nematode tubulin, a protein necessary for the formation and viability of microtubules. This occurs primarily in absorptive intestinal cells resulting in the absence of microtubules in the intestinal cells of the nematode, with the result that these cells cannot absorb nutrients, thus causing a consequent reduction in glycogen and effective starvation of the parasites. Structural differences have been shown to exist between tubulin from mammalian and helminth sources, resulting in the preferential toxicity of albendazole to the helminth and not to the host. Benzimidazoles have also been shown to inhibit the fumarate reductase system of helminths and impair energy production.

The selenium and cobalt in this product are trace elements of use as nutritional supplements.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

Albendazole has poor water solubility and limited absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (about 50% of the oral dose is absorbed in cattle). Following absorption, there is rapid first pass metabolism in the liver and the sulphide moiety of albendazole is oxidised to the pharmacologically active sulphoxide, then the sulphone, followed by deacetylation of the carbamate group to form the 2-aminosulphone.

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Target species

Cattle, Sheep.

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Indications

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs.

In cattle it is active against the following species:

Roundworms: Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, and Strongyloides spp.

It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Cooperia and Ostertagia, Lungworms: Dictyocaulus viviparus, Tapeworms: Moniezia spp., Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

In sheep it is active against benzimidazole-susceptible strains of the following species:

Roundworms: Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus (including N. battus), Chabertia and Oesophagostomum It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia, Lungworms: Dictyocaulus filaria, Tapeworms: Moniezia spp., Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

The product is ovicidal and will kill fluke and roundworm eggs, thus reducing pasture contamination. The product also contains selenium and cobalt as nutritional supplements.

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Dosage

For oral administration.

To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked.

Cattle:

Worm dose: For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Fluke and worm dose: For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in cattle.

Dosage: 10 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Sheep:

Worm dose: For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms, fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Fluke and Worm Dose: For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in sheep.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

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Contraindications

Do not use in cases of known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the other constituents.

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Adverse reactions

None known.

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Warnings

(i) Special precautions for use in animals

Care must be taken not to damage the pharyngeal region when dosing, particularly in sheep. Selenium and cobalt are included as nutritional supplements and are not intended to be used therapeutically. Do not administer other cobalt and selenium supplements concurrently with this product unless specifically advised by your veterinary surgeon.

Not to be diluted or mixed with other products.

Avoid the introduction of contamination during use.

Intensive use or misuse of anthelmintics can give rise to resistance. To reduce the risk, dosing programmes should be discussed with a veterinary surgeon.

The product should only be used in areas where deficiencies of selenium and cobalt are likely to occur. In cases of doubt, consult a veterinary surgeon.

(ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Wash hands after use.

Avoid direct contact with the product.

Wear suitable clothing including impermeable rubber gloves.

In the event of accidental eye exposure, flush eye thoroughly with running water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

In the event of accidental skin exposure, wash the effected area with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Do not dose ewes at the 'fluke and worm' dose rate, (7.5 mg/kg), during tupping or for 1 month after removing the rams. Can be safely used during lactation.

The use of the product in breeding bulls or pregnant cattle is not expected to interfere with their reproductive performance.

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Interactions

None known

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Overdose

No treatment specified.

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Special warnings

Selenium and cobalt are included as nutritional supplements and are not intended to be used therapeutically. Administration of ionophores to lambs has been shown to enhance selenium bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ionophores and Albex 2.5% SC may therefore lead to an increased risk of selenium toxicity.

Cattle suffering from severe lung damage due to heavy lungworm infestation may continue to cough for some weeks after treatment. Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of development of resistance and could ultimately result in ineffective therapy:

• Too frequent and repeated use of anthelmintics from the same class, over an extended period of time

• Underdosing, which may be due to underestimation of body weight, misadministration of the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device (if any).

Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test). Where the results of the test(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to a different pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.

Resistance to benzimidazoles (which includes albendazole) has been reported in Teladorsagia Haemonchus, Cooperia and Trichostrongylus species in small ruminants in a number of countries, including the EU. Resistance to albendazole has been reported in Cooperia and Teladorsagia species in cattle in developed countries such as New Zealand. Therefore the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further selection for resistance to anthelmintics.

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Withdrawal period

Cattle:

Meat & Offal: 14 days

Milk: 60 hours

Sheep:

Meat & Offal: 5 days

Not to be used in sheep producing milk for human consumption.

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Incompatibilities

None known

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Immediate packaging

High density polyethylene jerricans with high density polyethylene screw-fit, tamper evident closures and expanded polyethylene liners containing 1 L, 2.5 L, 5 L or 10 L of product.

High density polyethylene flexipack containers with polypropylene screw-fit closures, and aluminium foil sealed polyfaced steran liners containing 1 L, 2.5 L or 5 L of product.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale 3 Years

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Disposal of unused product

DANGEROUS to fish and aquatic life. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the product or used container. Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.'

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Additional information

Vm 08749/5106

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

2 April 2009

10 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

October 2025

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Registration holder

Chanelle Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Ltd

Loughrea

Co. Galway

H62 FH90

Ireland

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension, 08749/5106 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  2. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products) UK Government, legislation.gov.uk, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Albacert 2.5% w/v SC Oral Suspension UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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