Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats

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 Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats?
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate. ATCvet code: QP52AA51.13
What is the withdrawal period of Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 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
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: KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto

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 film-coated tablet contains:

Active substances:

Pyrantel embonate 230 mg (equivalent to 80 mg pyrantel)

Praziquantel 20 mg

Excipients:

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Maize starch

Povidone K25

Cellulose, microcrystalline (E460)

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate (E572)

Hypromellose

Macrogol 4000

Titanium dioxide (E171)

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Pharmaceutical form

Film-coated tablet.

White to almost white, biconvex, oval film-coated tablet, scored on one side.

The tablet can be divided into halves.

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintics, quinoline derivatives and related substances, praziquantel, combinations.

ATCvet code: QP52AA51

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

The product is a roundworm and tapeworm anthelmintic containing as active constituents the pyrazinoisoquinolinone derivative praziquantel and the tetrahydropyrimidine derivative pyrantel (as embonate salt)

In this fixed combination praziquantel serves as a tapeworm agent whose action spectrum covers cestode species in cats, in particular Hydatigera (Taenia) taeniaeformis, Joyeuxiella pasqualei., Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. Praziquantel acts against all stages of these parasites occurring in the cat intestine.

Pyrantel is the roundworm-specific component and has a good activity against nematodes occurring in cats, in particular Toxocara cati (syn. mystax), and Ancylostoma tubaeformae and Ancylostoma braziliense. Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist similarly to nicotine, and causes spastic paralysis of the nematodes by a depolarising neuromuscular blockade.

Praziquantel is absorbed very rapidly through the parasite's surface and is distributed evenly inside the parasite. Both in vitro and in vivo severe damage to the parasite integument sets in very quickly, resulting in contraction and paralysis of the parasites. The basis for the rapid onset of action is above all the praziquantel-induced change in the permeability of the parasite membrane to Ca++, which leads to a dysregulation of the parasite metabolism.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

Praziquantel is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Maximum serum levels are achieved within 2 hours. Praziquantel is widely distributed and is rapidly metabolised in the liver. In addition to other metabolites, the main metabolite occurring in each case is the 4-hydroxycyclohexyl derivative of praziquantel. Praziquantel is completely eliminated within 48 hours in the form of its metabolites - between 40 and 71 % in the urine and, in bile, between 13 and 30 % in the faeces.

The embonate salt of pyrantel is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

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Target species

Cats.

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Indications

For the treatment of mixed infestations with roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms in cats, caused by:

- adult stages of ascarids: Toxocara cati (syn. mystax)

- adult stages of hookworms: Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense

- tapeworms: Echinococcus multilocularis, Dipylidium caninum, Hydatigera (Taenia) taeniaeformis, Mesocestoides spp., Joyeuxiella pasqualei.

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Dosage

Dosage:

5 mg praziquantel and 20 mg pyrantel base (57.5 mg pyrantel embonate) per kg of body weight. This corresponds to 1 tablet per 4 kg of body weight.

Body weightTablets
1.0 - 2.0 kg1/2
2.1 - 4.0 kg1
4.1 - 6.0 kg1 1/2
6.1 - 8.0 kg2

Kittens weighing less than 1 kg should not be treated with the product, because correct dosing of such cats may not be feasible.

Route of administration:

Oral use.

The tablets are to be given directly into the mouth but can be administered in a small amount of food, if necessary.

Duration of use:

Single treatment

Note:

In ascarid infestation, especially in kittens, complete elimination cannot be expected, so a risk of infection for humans can persist. Repeat treatments should therefore be carried out with a suitable roundworm product at 14 day intervals until 2-3 weeks after weaning.

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Contraindications

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

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

Mild and transient digestive tract disorders such as hypersalivation and/or vomiting and mild and transient neurological disorders such as ataxia may occur in extremely rare cases.

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

Not intended for use in cats weighing less than 1 kg bodyweight.

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

In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice and show the package leaflet to the physician.

Any unused tablet halves should be safely discarded or returned to the open blister space, and returned to the outer carton.

In the interest of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to the cat or by adding them to the cat’s food, should wash their hands afterwards.

Other precautions

Echinococcosis represents a hazard for humans. As Echinococcosis is a notifiable disease to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), specific guidelines on the treatment and follow-up, and on the safeguard of persons, need to be obtained from the relevant competent authority.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy. The product should not be used during pregnancy but 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

Symptoms of overdoses do not occur less than 5 times the recommended dose. The first expected sign of intoxication is vomiting.

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Special warnings

Tapeworm infestation occurs in cats at the earliest in the third week of life.

Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm – Dipylidium caninum.

Tapeworm infestation is certain to reoccur 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.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

Blister packs consisting of cold formed OPA/Aluminium/PVC foil and aluminium foil in a box.

Box with 1 blister of 2 tablets.

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Storage

Store unused parts of the halved tablets below 25°C. Each time an unused part-tablet is stored until next use, it should be returned to the open blister pocket and kept in a safe place out of the sight and reach of children.

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Shelf life

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

Shelf life of halved tablets after first opening the immediate packaging: 1 month.

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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.

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Additional information

Vm 01656/5003

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

26 July 2022

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

November 2023

Approved 16 January 2024

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Registration holder

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto

Šmarkeška cesta 6

8501 Novo mesto

Slovenia

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 mg Film-coated Tablets for Cats, 01656/5003 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: Krka Roundworm and Tapeworm Wormer 230 mg/20 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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