Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens

Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate

Last verified

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

In short: questions and answers

Does Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens?
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate. ATCvet code: QP52AA51.13
What is the withdrawal period of Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens 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
Active substance
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate
ATCvet code
QP52AA513
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:

Pyrantel Embonate 230.0 mg

Praziquantel 20.0 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Maize Starch

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Povidone K25

Magnesium Stearate

Silica Colloidal Anhydrous

Opadry White TF276U280002

Film-coated tablet.

White to yellowish scored coated tablet. The tablet can be divided into equal halves.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code:

QP52 AA51

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist. Its mode of action is to stimulate nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the parasite, induce spastic paralysis and thereby allow expulsion from the gastrointestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.

Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed into and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that praziquantel causes severe damage to the parasite integument, resulting in contraction and paralysis. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolisation of the syncytial tegument. This rapid contraction has been explained by changes in divalent cation fluxes, especially calcium.

In this fixed combination product pyrantel is active against the following ascarids: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Praziquantel is effective against tapeworms in particular Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.

The product has also been shown to be efficacious in the control of hookworms, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense and the tapeworm Joyeuxiella pasqualei, none of which occur naturally in the UK or Ireland but may occasionally be found in imported animals. Since it contains praziquantel, the product is effective against Echinococcus multilocularis, which does not occur in the UK but is becoming more common in some European countries.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

No data available.

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Target species

Cats

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Indications

For the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms:

Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis.

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Dosage

For oral use.

The recommended dose rates are: 57.5 mg/kg pyrantel embonate and 5 mg/kg praziquantel. This is equivalent to 1 tablet per 4 kg bodyweight. To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible

Dosing bands are:

Weight of catNumber of tablets
greater than 2 kg up to 4 kg :1 tablet
greater than 4 kg up to 6 kg :1 ½ tablets
greater than 6 kg up to 8 kg:2 tablets

Administration and Duration of Treatment

Single oral administration. The tablet should be given directly to the animal, but if necessary can be disguised in food.

The need for and frequency of re-treatment(s) should be based on professional advice and should take into account the local epidemiological situation and the animal’s lifestyle.

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Contraindications

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds as piperazine may block the action of pyrantel embonate contained in the product. Other worming products may contain piperazine.

Do not use simultaneously with other deworming products without veterinary advice.

Do not use in kittens less than 6 weeks of age.

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

Do not use during pregnancy.

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Adverse reactions

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

Digestive tract disorder1 (hypersalivation1, vomiting1)

Neurological disorder1 (ataxia1)

1 Mild and short-lived

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:

Not intended for use in cats weighing less than 2 kg bodyweight.

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 a cat, or by adding them to the cat’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:

Do not use during pregnancy.

May be used during lactation.

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Interactions

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds. because the specific activities of piperazine (neuromuscular paralysis of the parasites) can inhibit the efficacy of pyrantel (spastic paralysis of the parasites).

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Overdose

No information.

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Special warnings

Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm - Dipylidium caninum. Tapeworm infestation is certain to re-occur unless control of intermediate hosts such as fleas, mice etc. is undertaken.

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 anthelmintics from the same class, over an extended period of time.

• Underdosing, this may be due to underestimation of body weight or misadministration of the product.

As a precautionary measure to prevent the establishment of Echinococcus multilocularis in the UK, 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

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

Packaging material: Polyethylene coated aluminium foil blister

Pack sizes: Cartons containing 1, 2 or 4 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Do not store above 25 °C.

Do not remove tablets from strip packaging until required for use.

Any part used tablets should be discarded.

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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 08007/5049

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

31 July 2019

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

December 2025

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.

Gavin Hall Approved: 02 December 2025

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Registration holder

Vetoquinol UK Limited

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens, 08007/5049 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: Johnson’s Wormer Plus 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats and Kittens UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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