Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution

Ivermectin

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: oral solution. Distribution category: POM-VPS (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Ivermectin.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution need a prescription?
Status not established. Neither the leaflet nor the law settles how this drug is dispensed, and we do not guess.
Which animals is Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution for?
Sheep.1
What is the active substance in Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution?
Ivermectin. ATCvet code: QP54AA01.13
What is the withdrawal period of Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution according to the leaflet?
Sheep, meat: 14 days.3
Dispensing
Status not established

POM-VPS: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. Prescription only, but the prescription may come from a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist or a suitably qualified person (SQP, a registered animal-medicine adviser), and they may supply it.12

Animal species
Sheep1
Active substance
Ivermectin
ATCvet code
QP54AA013
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Withdrawal period

Animal speciesProductdays
Sheepmeat143
Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Active Substance:

Ivermectin 0.8 mg/ml

Excipients:

Benzyl alcohol 30 ml/ml

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

6.1 List of excipients

Benzyl alcohol

Polysorbate 80

Dimethylacetamide

Sodium phosphate dihydrate

Sodium acid phosphate dihydrate

Water purified

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Pharmaceutical form

Oral solution A pale yellow clear liquid

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Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Endectocide

ATC Vet Code: QP54 AA 01

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Ivermectin is a 22,23-dihydro derivative of an avermectin (which is a fermentation product produced by Streptomyces avermitilis) and consists of 2 homologues: B1a and B1b. It is a highly effective parasiticide with nematocidal, insecticidal and acaricidal activity documented in a wide range of domesticated animals.

Avermectins interact selectively and with high affinity with glutamate-gated chloride ion channels, which only occur in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. This increases membrane permeability to chloride ions, causing irreversible neuromuscular blockades in nematodes, followed by paralysis and death. The macrocyclic lactones have a low affinity for other mammalian ligand gated chloride channels and they do not readily cross the blood brain barrier.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

After administration orally to sheep at a dose of 200 µg/kg, maximum plasma concentration of ivermectin was 5.99 µg/ml at 16.2 hours after administration and the elimination half-life was approximately 25 hours.

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Target species

Sheep

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Indications

Treatment and control of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and nasal bots of sheep

Gastrointestinal worms (adult and immature):

Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus spp, Cooperia spp, Nematodirus spp including N. battus, Strongyloides papillosus, Oesophagostomum spp, and adult Chabertia ovina

Inhibited larval stages and benzimidazole resistant strains of H. contortus and Ostertagia circumcincta are also controlled.

Lungworms (adult and immature):

Dictyocaulus filaria

Nasal bot (all larval stages):

Oestrus ovis

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Dosage

Ivermectin should be administered at a dosage rate of 200 µg per kg bodyweight (2.5 ml per 10 kg bodyweight). It should be administered orally. It is recommended that a suitably calibrated dosing gun is used to allow accurate dosing especially in young animals.

To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked.

Do not mix with other products

3

Contraindications

The product has been formulated specifically for use in sheep. It should not be used in other species, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may occur.

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

The product is not for intravenous or intramuscular use.

Do not use in sheep producing milk for human consumption.

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Adverse reactions

Some animals may cough slightly immediately after treatment. This is a temporary occurrence and is of no clinical consequence.

3

Warnings

i) Special precautions for use in animals

None

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

Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

In case of accidental spillage onto the skin or eyes, wash the affected area with clean running water immediately. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Do not smoke, drink or eat while handling the product.

Wash hands after use.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The product can be administered to ewes at any stage of pregnancy or lactation provided that the milk is not used for human consumption.

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Interactions

None known

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Overdose

The product has demonstrated a wide safety margin at the recommended dose rate. No antidote has been identified however symptomatic treatment may be beneficial.

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Special warnings

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 which may be due to underestimation of body weight, misadministration of the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device (if any).

Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test). Where the results of the test(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to another pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.

Resistance to ivermectin (an avermectin) has been reported in Teladorsagia in sheep and goats within the EU and it is common in Haemonchus in sheep outside the EU. Therefore the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further selection for resistance to anthelmintics.

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Withdrawal period

Meat and offal: 14 days

Do not use in sheep producing milk for human consumption.

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

Supplied in 1.0L, 2.5L, 5.0L and 2 x 5.0L volumes, presented in high density polyethylene Jerry Cans or high density polyethylene back-packs with polypropylene closures.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

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Storage

Do not store above 25°C.

Keep container in outer carton

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Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 5 Years.

3

Disposal of unused product

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to fish and aquatic life do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the product or unused container. Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

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Additional information

Vm 02000/4263

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

08 November 2006

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

February 2026

Further information:

Ivermectin belongs to the avermectin (3-AV) class of anthelmintic compounds, chemical group of anthelmintic 3-AV.

Gavin Hall Approved: 04 March 2026

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Registration holder

Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Station Works

Camlough Road

Newry

Co. Down

BT35 6JP

United Kingdom

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution, 02000/4263 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: Molemec Drench for Sheep 0.8 mg/ml Oral Solution UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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