Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs

Marbofloxacin

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: chewable tablet. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Marbofloxacin.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs for?
Cats, Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs?
Marbofloxacin. ATCvet code: QJ01MA93.13
What is the withdrawal period of Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs according to the leaflet?
No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3
Dispensing
Prescription only1

POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12

Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Cats1, Dogs1
Active substance
Marbofloxacin
ATCvet code
QJ01MA933
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Ceva Sante Animale

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 substance:

Marbofloxacin 10.0 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents
Lactose monohydrate
Copovidone
Silica colloidal anhydrous
Croscarmellose sodium
Hydrogenated castor oil
Pig liver powder
Malted yeast
Cellulose microcrystalline

Oblong scored beige tablet. The tablet can be divided in two equal parts.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code:

QJ01MA93

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

Marbofloxacin is a synthetic, bactericidal antimicrobial, belonging to the fluoroquinolone group which acts by inhibition of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. It has a broad-spectrum activity in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria (in particular staphylococci and streptococci) and, Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., Pasteurella spp., Pseudomonas spp.) as well as Mycoplasma spp.

A report on microbiological susceptibility including two European field surveys covering hundreds of canine and feline pathogens sensitive to marbofloxacin was published on 2009.

Micro-organismsMIC (µg/ml)
Staphylococcus intermedius0,23 - 0,25
Escherichia coli0,125 - 0,25
Pasteurella multocida0,04
Pseudomonas aeruginosa0,94

MIC breakpoints have been determined for:

- Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp in dogs (skin, soft tissue, UTI). CLSIED7, 2024 as ≤0.12 µg/ml for sensitive, 0.25 µg/ml for sensitive dose dependent and ≥0.54 µg/ml for resistant bacterial strains to marbofloxacin.

- Streptococcus spp. in dogs (skin, soft tissue, UTI). CLSI ED7, 2024 as ≤1 µg/ml for sensitive, 2 µg/ml for intermediate and ≥4 µg/ml for resistant bacterial strains to marbofloxacin.

Marbofloxacin is not active against anaerobes, yeasts or fungi. The activity of marbofloxacin against the target bacterial species is bactericidal concentration-dependant.

Resistance to fluoroquinolones occurs by chromosomal mutations with the following mechanisms: decrease in bacterial cell wall permeability, expression change of genes coding for efflux pumps or mutations in genes encoding enzymes responsible for molecule binding. Plasmid-mediated resistance to fluoroquinolones, which confers reduced susceptibility, has also been described. Depending on the underlying resistance mechanism, cross-resistance to other (fluoro)quinolones and co-resistance to other antimicrobial classes can occur.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration in dogs and cats at the recommended dose of 2 mg/kg, marbofloxacin is readily absorbed and reaches maximal plasma concentrations of 1.5 µg/ml within 2 hours.

Its bioavailability is close to 100%.

It is weakly bound to plasma proteins (less than 10%), extensively distributed and in most tissues (liver, kidney, skin, lung, bladder, digestive tract) it achieves higher concentrations than in plasma. Marbofloxacin is eliminated slowly (t½ß = 14 h in dogs and 10h in cats) predominantly in the active form in urine (2/3) and faeces (1/3).

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Target species

Cats and Dogs

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Indications

In cats:

Treatment of infections caused by strains of microorganisms susceptible to marbofloxacin:

- skin and soft tissue infections (wounds, abscesses, phlegmons).

- upper respiratory tract infections.

In dogs:

Treatment of infections caused by strains of microorganisms susceptible to marbofloxacin:

- skin and soft tissue infections (skinfold pyoderma, impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, cellulitis).

- urinary tract infections (UTI) associated or not with prostatitis or epididymitis.

- respiratory tract infections.

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Dosage

For oral administration

The recommended dose rate is 2 mg/kg/d (1 tablet for 5 kg per day) in single daily administration.

Cats:

- for skin and soft tissue infections (wounds, abscesses, phlegmons) treatment duration is 3 to 5 days.

- for upper respiratory infections treatment duration is 5 days.

Dogs:

- in skin and soft tissue infections, treatment duration is at least 5 days. Depending on the course of the disease, it may be extended up to 40 days.

- in urinary tract infections, treatment duration is at least 10 days. Depending on the course of the disease, it may be extended up to 28 days.

- in respiratory infections, treatment duration is at least 7 days and depending on the course of the disease, it may be extended up to 21 days.

To ensure a correct dosage body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.

The chewable tablets may be accepted by cats and dogs or can be administered directly into the mouth of the animals.

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Contraindications

Do not use in dogs aged less than 12 months, or less than 18 months for giant breeds of dogs with a longer growth period. Do not use in cats aged less than 16 weeks.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance, other (fluoro)quinolones or any of the excipients.

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Adverse reactions

Cat, Dog:

FrequencyAdverse events
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):Vomiting2, Soft stool2; Hyperactivity1,2; Modification of thirst2

1 Transient

2 Cease spontaneously after treatment

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:

The chewable tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store tablets out of reach of the animals.

The fluoroquinolones have been shown to induce erosion of articular cartilage in juvenile dogs and care should be taken to dose accurately especially in young animals.

The fluoroquinolones are also known for their potential neurological side effects. Cautious use is recommended in dogs and cats diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy.

Fluoroquinolones should be reserved for the treatment of clinical conditions which have responded poorly or are expected to respond poorly to other classes of antimicrobials. Whenever possible, use of fluoroquinolones should be based on susceptibility testing. Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to the fluoroquinolones and may decrease effectiveness of treatment with other quinolones due to the potential for cross-resistance.

Official and local antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used.

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

People with known hypersensitivity to (fluoro)quinolones or other components of the formulation should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. In case of accidental ingestion seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Wash hands after use.

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

Studies in laboratory animals (rat, rabbit) showed no teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and maternotoxicity with marbofloxacin at therapeutic doses.

The safety of marbofloxacin has not been assessed in pregnant and lactating cats and dogs. Use only according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian in pregnant and lactating animals.

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Interactions

Fluoroquinolones are known to interact with orally administered cations (Aluminium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron). In such cases, the bioavailability may be reduced. Serum levels of theophylline should be carefully monitored when theophylline and marbofloxacin are used concomitantly, as fluoroquinolones may increase serum levels of theophylline.

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Overdose

Overdosage may cause acute signs in the form of neurological disorders, which should be treated symptomatically.

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Special warnings

A low urinary pH could have an inhibitory effect on the activity of marbofloxacin.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

▪ (Polyvinyl chloride-Thermo-elast-Polyvinylidene chloride – aluminium heat sealed) containing 10 tablets per blister

▪ (Polyamide-Aluminium-Polyvinyl chloride – aluminium heat sealed) containing 10 tablets per blister

Cardboard box of 10 tablets containing 1 blister of 10 tablets

Cardboard box of 120 tablets containing 12 blisters of 10 tablets

Cardboard box of 240 tablets containing 24 blisters of 10 tablets

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Blister: PVC-TE-PVDC – aluminium heat sealed: Do not store above 30°C.

Blister: PA-AL-PVC – aluminium heat sealed: This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Tablet portions should be stored in the blister pack.

Any tablet portions remaining after 72 hours should be discarded.

Keep the blister in the outer carton.

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Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years

Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging: 72 hours

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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

UK (NI) Vm 14966/3033

UK (GB) Vm 14966/5034

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

07 August 2013

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

October 2025

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

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

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Registration holder

Ceva Sante Animale

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs, 14966/5034 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-02 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 2026-10-02 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Efex 10 mg Chewable Tablets for Cats and Dogs UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-02 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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