Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep

Deltamethrin

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: pour-on solution. Distribution category: POM-VPS (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Deltamethrin.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep 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 Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep for?
Cattle, Sheep.1
What is the active substance in Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep?
Deltamethrin. ATCvet code: QP53AC11.13
What is the withdrawal period of Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep according to the leaflet?
Cattle, meat: 17 days; Cattle, milk: 0 days; Sheep, meat: 35 days; Sheep, milk: 0 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
Deltamethrin
ATCvet code
QP53AC113
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Virbac

Withdrawal period

Animal speciesProductdays
Cattlemeat173
Cattlemilk03
Sheepmeat353
Sheepmilk03
Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Each ml contains

Active substance:

Deltamethrin 10 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Triglycerides medium-chain

Slightly yellowish clear oily solution.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QP53AC11

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid possessing insecticidal and acaricidal activity. It is one of a large family of pyrethroid esters which have evolved as synthetic analogues of the original insecticidal extracts isolated from powdered pyrethrum flowers. Deltamethrin is an alpha- cyano pyrethroid and is a member of the second generation of pyrethroids in which the overall stability of the molecule is improved with correspondingly increased resistance to photo- and bio-degradation and enhanced insecticidal activity. It is more potently toxic to insects and acarines because of the slower rate of metabolism.

The precise mode of insecticidal activity of pyrethroids remains uncertain, but they are potent neurotoxins in insects, causing failure in sensory coordination and disorganised motor activity, hence the 'knock-down' effect. Pyrethroids are metabolised through oxidative and neurotoxic pathways far more rapidly in mammals, so that neurotoxic effects can only occur at dosages which are many orders of magnitude greater than those required for ectoparasitic activity.

Two physiological mechanisms are likely to contribute to deltamethrin-resistance: mutation of the molecular deltamethrin target or through metabolic enzyme glutathione-S-transferases.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

After dermal application, deltamethrin is slightly absorbed through skin of cattle and sheep.

Pyrethroids are metabolised through oxidative and neurotoxic pathways.

The main route of excretion of the absorbed amount in the target animal is the faeces.

Environmental properties

Deltamethrin has the potential to adversely affect non-target organisms. Following treatment, deltamethrin is excreted in faeces. Deltamethrin excretion may take place over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Faeces containing deltamethrin excreted onto pasture by treated animals may reduce the abundance of dung feeding organisms.

Deltamethrin is very toxic to dung fauna, aquatic organisms and honey bees, is persistent in soils and may accumulate in sediments.

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Target species

Cattle and sheep.

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Indications

As a topical application for the treatment and prevention of infestations by lice and flies on cattle; ticks, lice, keds and established blowfly strike on sheep and lice and ticks on lambs.

On cattle: For the treatment and prevention of infestations by both sucking and biting lice, including Bovicola bovis, Solenopotes capillatus, Linognathus vituli and Haematopinus eurysternus. Also as an aid in the treatment and prevention of infestations by both biting and nuisance flies including Haematobia irritans, Stomoxys calcitrans, Musca species and Hydrotaea irritans.

On sheep: For the treatment and prevention of infestations by ticks Ixodes ricinus and by lice (Linognathus ovillus, Bovicola ovis), keds (Melophagus ovinus) For the treatment of established blowfly strike (usually Lucilia spp).

On lambs: For the treatment and prevention of infestations by ticks Ixodes ricinus and by lice Bovicola ovis.

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Dosage

For external use. Pour-on use.

Dose:

Cattle: 100 mg of deltamethrin per animal corresponding to 10 ml of veterinary medicinal product.

Sheep: 50 mg of deltamethrin per animal corresponding to 5 ml of veterinary medicinal product

Lambs (under 10 kg bodyweight or 1 month of age): 25 mg of deltamethrin per animal corresponding to 2.5 ml of veterinary medicinal product.

Administration:

The veterinary medicinal product should be applied using an appropriate device :

- for the 0.5 litre and 1 litre bottles, the veterinary medicinal product is supplied with a dosing cup

- for the 2.5 litre bottle and the 2.5 litre and 4.5 litre flexible pouches, it is recommended to use an appropriate dosing gun. The flexible pouches should be carried in an appropriate rucksack.

An appropriate applicator should comply with the following specifications :

- it should deliver doses of 2.5 ml, 5 ml and 10 ml.

- it should be supplied with a flexible hose of internal diameter between 10 mm and 14 mm.

[in relevant cases, an additional step (under 5) should be included for the removal of the additional unviolability seal:]

Cattle : Apply a 10 ml dose using an appropriate applicator.

Sheep : Apply one 5 ml dose using an appropriate applicator.

Lambs : Apply one 2.5 ml dose using an appropriate applicator.

Application site :

Apply the veterinary medicinal product along the mid-line of the back at the level of the shoulders.

See following specific indication directions.

Lice on cattle: One application will generally eradicate all lice. Complete clearance of all lice may take 4 - 5 weeks during which time lice hatch from the eggs and are killed. A very few lice may survive on a small minority of animals.

Flies on cattle: Where horn-flies predominate, treatment and prevention of infestations can be expected for 4 - 8 weeks.

Ticks on sheep: Application to the mid-point of the shoulders will provide treatment and prevention of infestations by ticks attaching to animals of all ages, for up to 6 weeks after treatment.

Keds and lice on sheep: Application to the mid-point of the shoulders of sheep in short or long fleece will reduce the incidence of a biting louse or ked infestation over a 4 - 6 week period after treatment.

It is advisable to:

- treat shortly after shearing (animals with short fleece),

- keep treated sheep separated from untreated sheep to avoid re-infestation.

N.B. For treatment and prevention of infestations by ticks, keds and lice on sheep, the fleece should be parted and the veterinary medicinal product applied to the skin of the animal.

Established blowfly strike on sheep: Apply directly to the maggot infected area as soon as the fly strike is seen. One application will ensure blowfly larvae are killed in a short time. In the case of more advanced strike lesions, clipping out of stained wool before treatment is advisable.

Lice and ticks on lambs: Application to the mid-line of the back at the level of the shoulders will provide treatment and prevention of infestations by ticks for up to 6 weeks after treatment, and will reduce the incidence of biting lice over a 4-6 week period after treatment.

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Contraindications

Do not use on convalescent or sick animals.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Do not use in animals with extensive lesions of the skin.

Extra-label use of the veterinary medicinal product in the non-target species dogs and cats can lead to toxic neurological signs (ataxia, convulsions, tremors), digestive signs (hypersalivation, vomiting) and may be fatal.

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Adverse reactions

Cattle:

Very rare (< 1 animal/10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): Application site reactions1 (e.g. application site squamosis, application site pruritus)

1 Observed during the 48 hours after treatment.

Sheep:

None known.

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Do not apply on or near the animal’s eyes and mucous membranes.

The veterinary medicinal product is for external use only.

Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes as Deltamethrin is an irritant.

Care should be taken to prevent licking of the veterinary medicinal product. Avoid use of the veterinary medicinal product during extremely hot weather and ensure animals have adequate access to water.

The veterinary medicinal product should only be administered onto undamaged skin as toxicity is possible due to absorption from major skin lesions. However, signs of local irritation may occur after treatment as skin may be already affected by infestation.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals:

People with known hypersensitivity to deltamethrin or to any of the excipients should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

Personal protective equipment consisting of protective clothing including waterproof apron and boots and impervious gloves should be worn when either applying the product or handling recently treated animals.

Remove heavily contaminated clothing immediately and wash before re-use.

Wash splashes from skin immediately with soap and plenty of water.

Wash hands and exposed skin after handling this veterinary medicinal product and before meals.

In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of clean, running water and seek medical advice.

In case of accidental ingestion, wash out mouth immediately with plenty of water, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Do not smoke, drink or eat while handling the veterinary medicinal product.

This veterinary medicinal product contains deltamethrin which may produce tingling, itchiness and blotchy redness on exposed skin. If you feel unwell after working with this veterinary medicinal product, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Deltamethrin is very toxic to dung, fauna, aquatic organisms and honey bees, is persistent in soils and may accumulate in sediments. The risk to aquatic ecosystems and dung fauna can be reduced by avoiding too frequent and repeated use of deltamethrin (and other synthetic pyrethroids) in cattle and sheep, e.g. by using only a single treatment per year on the same pasture.

The risk to aquatic ecosystems will be further reduced by preventing treated sheep from entering watercourses for one hour immediately after treatment.

3.11 Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy and lactation:

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation.

Laboratory studies in rat and rabbits have not produced any evidence of teratogenic effects.

Use only according to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

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Interactions

Do not use with any other insecticide or acaricide. Especially, in combination with organo-phosphorous compounds, the toxicity of deltamethrin is enhanced.

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Overdose

Some adverse effects have been seen following overdose. These include paraesthesia and irritation in cattle, as well as intermittent or attempted urination in young lambs. These have been shown to be mild, transient and resolve without treatment.

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Special warnings

To avoid resistance, the veterinary medicinal product should only be used if the susceptibility of the local fly population to the active substance is assured. If clinical signs do not resolve following treatment, the diagnosis should be revised. Cases of resistance to deltamethrin have been reported in stinging and nuisance flies in cattle and lice in sheep.

In countries with recognized resistance to deltamethrin the use of the veterinary medicinal product should ideally be based on results of susceptibility testing. Please, ask your veterinarian for further information.

The veterinary medicinal product will reduce the number of flies resting directly on the animal but it is not expected to eliminate all flies on a farm. The strategic use of the veterinary medicinal product should, therefore, be based on local and regional epidemiological information about susceptibility of parasites, and used in association with other pest management methods.

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 ectoparasiticides from the same class over an extended period of time;

- underdosing which may be due to underestimation of bodyweight, misadministration of the veterinary medicinal product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device.

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Withdrawal period

Cattle:

Meat and offal: 17 days Milk: zero hours

Sheep:

Meat and offal: 35 days Milk: zero hours

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Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

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Immediate packaging

500 ml and 1 litre white high-density polyethylene bottle with a removable aluminium seal, a HDPE cap and a PP dosing device equipped with a measuring chamber delivering doses of 2.5 ml, 5 ml and 10 ml, placed in a carton box.

2.5 litre white high-density polyethylene bottle with a removable aluminium seal, a PP cap and a PP coupling vented cap.

2.5 litre or 4.5 litre multi-layer PET/aluminium/PA/PE flexible pouch (Flexibag) with a PP cap and its specific coupling POM “E-lock”, placed in a carton box.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Store in tightly closed original container away from food, drink and animal feeding stuffs.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 5 years

For bottles only: Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 1 year

For pouches only: Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 2 years

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

The veterinary medicinal product should not enter water courses as deltamethrin is very toxic for fish and other aquatic organisms.

Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.

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Additional information

Vm 05653/5074

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

04 April 2014

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

August 2025

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.

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Registration holder

Virbac

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep, 05653/5074 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: Deltanil 10 mg/ml Pour-on Solution for Cattle and Sheep UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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