Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats

Milbemycin Oxime (A3 and A4), Praziquantel

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: coated tablet. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Milbemycin Oxime (A3 and A4), Praziquantel.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats?
Milbemycin Oxime (A3 and A4), Praziquantel. ATCvet code: QP54AB51.13
What is the withdrawal period of Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats 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
Active substance
Milbemycin Oxime (A3 and A4), Praziquantel
ATCvet code
QP54AB513
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Elanco Europe Ltd

Withdrawal period

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

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

One tablet contains:

Active substances:

Milbemycin oxime 16 mg

Praziquantel 40 mg

Excipients:

Iron oxide (E172) 0.288 mg

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Core:

Cellulose, microcristalline

Croscarmellose sodium

Povidone

Lactose monohydrate

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate

Coat:

Hypromellose

Macrogol

Talc

Iron oxide red

Artificial beef flavour

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Pharmaceutical form

Film-coated tablet.

Oblong shaped, reddish to reddish brown, artificial beef flavoured tablet with a score on both sides. One side bears the imprint “KK”, the other side “NA”.

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellants - endectocides

ATC vet Code: QP54AB51 (milbemycin oxime, combinations)

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Milbemycin oxime belongs to the group of macrocyclic lactones, isolated from the fermentation of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. aureolacrimosus. It is active against mites, against larval and adult stages of nematodes as well as against larvae of Dirofilaria immitis.

The activity of milbemycin is related to its action on invertebrate neurotransmission: Milbemycin oxime, like avermectins and other milbemycins, increases nematode and insect membrane permeability to chloride ions via glutamate-gated chloride ion channels (related to vertebrate GABAA and glycine receptors). This leads to hyperpolarisation of the neuromuscular membrane and flaccid paralysis and death of the parasite.

Praziquantel is an acylated pyrazino-isoquinoline derivative. Praziquantel is active against cestodes and trematodes. It modifies the permeability for calcium (influx of Ca2+) in the membranes of the parasite inducing an imbalance in the membrane structures, leading to membrane depolarisation and almost instantaneous contraction of the musculature (tetany), rapid vacuolization of the syncytial tegument and subsequent tegumental disintegration (blebbing), resulting in easier expulsion from the gastrointestinal tract or death of the parasite.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

In the cat, praziquantel reaches peak plasma concentrations within an hour after oral administration.

The half life of elimination is around 3 hours.

In the dog, there is rapid hepatic biotransformation, prinicipally to monohydroxylated derivatives.

The principal route of elimination in the dog is renal.

After oral administration in the cat, milbemycin oxime reaches peak plasma concentrations within 2 hours. The half life of elimination is around 13 hours (± 9 hours). In the rat, metabolism appears to be complete although slow, since unchanged milbemycin oxime has not been found in urine or feces. Main metabolites in the rat are monohydroxylated derivatives, attributable to hepatic biotransformation. In addition to relatively high liver concentrations, there is some concentration in fat, reflecting its lipophilicity.

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Target species

Cats

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Indications

In cats: treatment of mixed infections by immature and adult cestodes and nematodes of the following species:

- Cestodes:

Dipylidium caninum

Taenia spp.

Echinococcus multilocularis

- Nematodes:

Ancylostoma tubaeforme

Toxocara cati

Prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) if concomitant treatment against cestodes is indicated.

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Dosage

Minimum recommended dose rate: 2 mg of milbemycin oxime and 5 mg of praziquantel per kg are given orally as a single dose. The product should be administered with or after some food. Doing so ensures optimum protection against heartworm disease.

Depending on the bodyweight of the cat, the practical dosing is as follows:

WeightTablets
2 - 4 kg½ tablet
> 4 - 8 kg1 tablet
> 8 - 12 kg1½ tablets

Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats can be inserted into a programme for prevention of heartworm disease if at the same time treatment against tapeworms is indicated. Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats has a duration of heartworm prevention of one month. For regular prevention of heartworm disease the use of a monosubstance is preferred.

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Contraindications

Do not use in cats weighing less than 2 kg.

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Adverse reactions

In very rare occasions, especially in young cats, hypersensitivity reactions, systemic signs (such as lethargy), neurological signs (such as ataxia and muscle tremors) and/or gastrointestinal signs (such as emesis and diarrhoea) have been observed after administration of the veterinary medicinal product.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:

- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))

- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)

- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)

- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

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Warnings

Special precautions for use in animals

As per good veterinary practice, animals should be weighed to ensure accurate dosing. Ensure cats and kittens weighing between 0.5 kg and ≤2 kg receive the appropriate tablet strength (4 mg MBO/10 mg praziquantel) and the appropriate dose (1/2 or 1 tablet) for the corresponding weight band (1/2 tablet for cats weighing 0.5 to 1 kg ; 1 tablet for cats weighing >1 to 2 kg – 1 tablet).

Echinococcosis represents a hazard for humans. In case of Echinococcosis, specific guidelines on the treatment and follow up and on the safeguard of persons have to be followed. Experts or institutes of parasitology should be consulted.

No studies have been performed with severely debilitated cats or individuals with seriously compromised kidney or liver function. The product is not recommended for such animals or only according to a benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

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

Wash hands after use.

In the event of accidental ingestion of the tablets, particularly by a child, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats can be used in breeding cats including pregnant and lactating queens.

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Interactions

The concurrent use of Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats with selamectin is well tolerated. No interactions were observed when the recommended dose of the macrocyclic lactone selamectin was administered during treatment with Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats at the recommended dose.

Although not recommended, the concomitant use of Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats with a spot on containing moxidectin and imidacloprid at recommended dose rates following a single application was well tolerated in one laboratory study in 10 kittens.

The safety and efficacy of the concurrent use have not been investigated in field studies. In the absence of further studies, caution should be taken in the case of concurrent use of the product with any other macrocyclic lactone. Also, no such studies have been performed with reproducing animals.

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Overdose

In case of overdose, in addition to signs observed at the recommended dose (see section 4.6), drooling was observed. This sign will usually disappear spontaneously within a day.

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Special warnings

In order to develop an effective worm control programme local epidemiological information and the risk of exposure of the cat should be taken into account. It is recommended to treat all the animals living in the same household concomitantly. When infection with the cestode D. caninum has been confirmed, concomitant treatment against intermediate hosts, such as fleas and lice, should be discussed with a veterinarian to prevent re-infection.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

PVC/PE/PVdC/aluminium blister

Available pack sizes:

Box with 2 tablets in blister

Box with 4 tablets in blister

Box with 10 tablets in blister

Box with 20 tablets in blister

Box with 50 tablets in blister

Box with 100 tablets in blister

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

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Storage

Do not store above 25 °C

Keep the blister in the outer carton in order to protect from light

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Shelf life

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

Shelf-life after first opening of the immediate packaging: 6 months

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Disposal of unused product

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats should not enter water courses as this may be dangerous for fish and other aquatic organisms.

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Additional information

Vm 00879/5010

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

29 December 2022

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

December 2022

Approved 29 December 2022

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Registration holder

Elanco Europe Ltd

Form 2, Bartley Way

Bartley Wood Business Park

Hook

RG27 9XA

United Kingdom

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats, 00879/5010 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: Elanco Milbemycin - Praziquantel 16 mg/40 mg Film-Coated Tablets for Cats UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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