Halocur 0.5 mg/ml Oral Solution for Calves

Composition

Each ml of the oral solution contains:

Active substance:

Halofuginone base 0.5 mg

(as lactate salt)

Excipients:

Canary yellow homogenous clear solution.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QP51BX01

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

The active substance, halofuginone, is an antiprotozoal agent of the quinazolinone derivatives group (nitrogenous polyheterocycles). Halofuginone lactate (RU 38788) is a salt whose antiprotozoal properties and efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum have been demonstrated both in in vitro conditions and in artificial and natural infections. The compound has a cryptosporidiostatic effect on Cryptosporidium parvum. It is mainly active on the free stages of the parasite (sporozoite, merozoite). The concentrations to inhibit 50 % and 90 % of the parasites, in an in vitro test system, are IC50 < 0.1 μg/ml and IC90 of 4.5 μg/ml respectively.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

The bioavailability of the drug in the calf, following single oral administration, is about 80 %. The time necessary to obtain the maximum concentration Tmax is 11 hours.

The maximum concentration in plasma Cmax is 4 ng/ml. The apparent volume of distribution is 10 l/kg. The plasmatic concentrations of halofuginone after repeated oral administrations are comparable to the pharmacokinetic pattern after single oral treatment. Unchanged halofuginone is the major component in the tissues. Highest values have been found in the liver and the kidney. The product is mainly excreted in the urine. The terminal elimination half-life is 11.7 hours after intravenous administration and 30.84 hours after single oral administration.

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Target species

Cattle (newborn calf).

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Indications

Prevention of diarrhoea due to diagnosed Cryptosporidium parvum, in farms with history of cryptosporidiosis.

Administration should start in the first 24 to 48 hours of age.

Reduction of diarrhoea due to diagnosed Cryptosporidium parvum.

Administration should start within 24 hours after the onset of diarrhoea.

In both cases, the reduction of oocysts excretion has been demonstrated.

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Dosage

Oral use.

To be administered after feeding.

The dosage is: 100 mcg of halofuginone base / kg body weight (BW) / once a day for 7 consecutive days, i.e. 2 ml of the veterinary medicinal product / 10 kg BW / once a day for 7 consecutive days.

However, in order to make the treatment easier, a simplified dosage scheme is proposed:

▪ 35 kg < calves ≤ 45 kg: 8 ml of the veterinary medicinal product once a day during 7 consecutive days

▪ 45 kg < calves < 60 kg: 12 ml of the veterinary medicinal product once a day during 7 consecutive days

For smaller or higher weights, a precise calculation should be performed (2 ml/10 kg BW).

Underdosing could result in ineffective use and may favour resistance development. To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.

The use of suitably calibrated measuring equipment is recommended.

The consecutive treatment should be done at the same time each day.

Once the first calf has been treated, all the forthcoming new-born calves must be systematically treated as long as the risk for diarrhoea due to Cryptosporidium parvum persists.

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Contraindications

Do not use on an empty stomach.

Do not use in case of diarrhoea established for more than 24 hours and in weak animals.

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

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Adverse reactions

Cattle (newborn calf):

Very rare Diarrhoea1 (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

1 an increase in the level of diarrhoea has been observed.

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:

Administer after colostrum feeding, or after milk or milk replacer feeding only, using either a syringe or any appropriate device for oral administration.

Do not use on an empty stomach.

For treatment of anorexic calves, the product should be administered in half a litre of an electrolyte solution. The animals should receive enough colostrum according to good breeding practice.

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

Repetitive contact with the product may lead to skin allergies.

Avoid skin, eye and mucosal contact with the veterinary medicinal product. People with known hypersensitivity to halofuginone should administer the veterinary medicinal product with caution.

Personal protective equipment consisting of gloves should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product.

In case of accidental spillage onto skin or eye contact wash the exposed area thoroughly with clean water. If eye irritation persists, 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.

Other precautions:

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Not applicable.

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Interactions

None known.

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Overdose

As symptoms of toxicity may occur at twice the therapeutic dose, it is necessary to apply the recommended dosage strictly. Symptoms of toxicity include diarrhoea, visible blood in faeces, decline in milk consumption, dehydration, apathy and prostration. Should clinical signs of overdosing occur the treatment must be stopped immediately and the animal fed unmedicated milk or milk replacer. Rehydration may be necessary.

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Special warnings

Unnecessary use of antiparasitics or use deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the resistance selection pressure and lead to reduced efficacy. The decision to use the product should be based on confirmation of the parasitic species and burden, or risk of infection based on its epidemiological features, for each herd.

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Withdrawal period

Meat and offal: 13 days.

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

High-density polyethylene bottle of 500 ml containing 490 ml.

High-density polyethylene bottle of 1000 ml containing 980 ml.

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. Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 6 months.

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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 halofuginone may be dangerous 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 01708/5037

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

29 October 1999

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

August 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.

Approved: 27 August 2025

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Registration holder

MSD Animal Health UK Limited

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