Droncit Tablets 50 mg

Praziquantel

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: tablet. Distribution category: AVM-GSL (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Praziquantel.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Droncit Tablets 50 mg need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Droncit Tablets 50 mg for?
Cats, Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Droncit Tablets 50 mg?
Praziquantel. ATCvet code: QP52AA01.13
What is the withdrawal period of Droncit Tablets 50 mg according to the leaflet?
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Dispensing
Over the counter1

AVM-GSL: Authorised Veterinary Medicine - General Sale List. No prescription is needed and it may be sold by any retailer.12

Supplied without a prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Cats1, Dogs1
Active substance
Praziquantel
ATCvet code
QP52AA013
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Vetoquinol UK Limited

Withdrawal period

No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Each tablet contains:

Active substances:

Praziquantel 50 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Lactose monohydrate

Microcrystalline cellulose

Povidone K-25

Sodium lauryl sulphate

Magnesium stearate

Silica colloidal anhydrous

Maize starch

White tablets with a score line on one side, which can be divided into halves.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QP 52 AA 01

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

The spectrum of action of praziquantel covers all the important species of cestodes in dogs and cats. It specifically includes all Taenia species occurring in dogs and cats, Multiceps multiceps, Joyeuxiella pasquali, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides species, Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus. Praziquantel is effective against all stages of development of these parasites occurring in the intestines of dogs and cats.

Praziquantel impairs the normal tegument function of the parasite, making it permeable to excessive glucose loss and thereby more easily attacked by proteolytic enzymes. Because of this, whole tapeworms including the scolex are very rarely passed in the faeces following administration of the drug. Disintegrated and partially digested fragments may occasionally be seen in the faeces.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

Praziquantel is rapidly absorbed by the animal and metabolised by the liver. It is excreted, entirely as metabolites, in the urine and faeces.

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Target species

Dogs and cats

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Indications

For the treatment of adult tapeworms of dogs and cats. The tablets are effective against both immature and mature forms of adult tapeworms in both dogs and cats. The product is a highly effective treatment against all the common species of tapeworm infecting dogs and cats in the United Kingdom and Ireland including Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia ovis, Taenia pisiformis, Taenia multiceps, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia taeniaeformis, and Dipylidium caninum. Droncit is also effective against Echinococcus multilocularis (see 3.4)

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Dosage

Dosage

To ensure a correct dosage, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible.

The recommended dosage rate is 5 mg/kg body weight. This corresponds to 1 tablet per 10 kg body weight.

Dogs 2.5 to 5 kg ½ tablet

Greater than 5 to 10 kg 1 tablet

Greater than 10 to 15kg 1 ½ tablets

Greater than 15 to 20 kg 2 tablets

Greater than 20 to 25 kg 2 ½ tablets

Greater than 25 to 30 kg 3 tablets

Over 30kg pro rata For each additional 5kg bodyweight, administer an additional half tablet

Cats Adult cats ½ tablet

Administration and Duration of Treatment

Oral administration. The tablets are administered by opening the animal’s mouth and pushing the tablet over the back of the tongue so that it cannot be rejected. Alternatively, a tablet can be wrapped in a piece of meat or butter and offered to the animal or crushed and mixed with the food.

A single dose is all that is required. However, for dogs in rural areas and for packs of hounds, this dose should be repeated every four weeks to ensure that newly acquired tapeworms are destroyed before reaching maturity. Dosing must be associated with strict control of the dog’s diet to ensure that uncooked offal is not eaten.

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Contraindications

Do not use in dogs weighing less than 2.5 kg

Do not use in unweaned puppies and kittens, as such animals are rarely infected with tapeworms.

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Adverse reactions

Target species: Dogs and cats

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 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:

Any part used tablets should be discarded.

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

In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to an animal or adding them to the animal’s food should wash their hands afterwards.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

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:

Can be used during pregnancy and lactation.

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Interactions

None known.

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Overdose

Not applicable.

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Special warnings

Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm - Dipylidium caninum. To avoid reinfection with this parasite, flea control of the animal and its housing should be carried out at the same time. Unless flea control is complete an infected flea population may survive: i.e. re-treatment of the animal may be necessary.

As a precautionary measure to prevent the establishment of Echinococcus multilocularis in the UK and Ireland, it is recommended that all dogs and cats entering the country be treated with praziquantel.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

Cartons containing OPA/Aluminium/HDPE blister packs with an Aluminium/PE lidding foil.

Pack sizes:

20 tablets (2 blister packs with 10 tablets each)

24 tablets (3 blister packs with 8 tablets each)

48 tablets (6 blister packs with 8 tablets each)

100 tablets (10 blister packs with 10 tablets each)

104 tablets (13 blister packs with 8 tablets each)

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Do not store above 25 °C.

Store in a dry place.

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Shelf life

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

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

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 08007/5015

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

22 June 1994

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

May 2026

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product not subject to prescription.

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

Approved: 21 May 2026

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Registration holder

Vetoquinol UK Limited

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Droncit Tablets 50 mg, 08007/5015 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: Droncit Tablets 50 mg UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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The same active substance in other countries

These are different medicines with different authorisations. The dispensing status is the one on each product's own page, which gives its basis. The leaflet of the product in hand applies.

Spain

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Poland

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