Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep

Albendazole

Last verified

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

In short: questions and answers

Does Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep 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 Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep for?
Cattle, Sheep.1
What is the active substance in Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep?
Albendazole. ATCvet code: QP52AC11.13
What is the withdrawal period of Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep according to the leaflet?
Cattle, meat: 14 days; Cattle, milk: 60 h; Sheep, meat: 4 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
Cattle1, Sheep1
Active substance
Albendazole
ATCvet code
QP52AC113
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Bimeda Animal Health Limited

Withdrawal period

Animal speciesProductdays
Cattlemeat143
Cattlemilk60 h3
Sheepmeat43
Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Active substance:per ml
Albendazole100 mg
Other Relevant Constituents:
Selenium (as sodium selenite)1.08 mg
Cobalt (as cobalt sulfate)2.5 mg
Excipients:
Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate (E218) (preservative)2 mg
Propyl Parahydroxybenzoate (E216) (preservative)0.2 mg
Acid Brilliant Green BS (E142) (colouring agent)0.015 mg

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1

6.1 List of excipients

Acid Brilliant Green BS (E142)

Methyl Parahydroxy benzoate (E218)

Propyl Parahydroxy benzoate (E216)

Sodium selenite

Cobalt sulfate

Citric Acid Monohydrate

Sodium Citrate Dihydrate

Xanthan Gum

Povidone

Polysorbate 20

Propylene Glycol

Simethicone Emulsion

Purified Water

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Pharmaceutical form

Oral suspension

Pale blue

3

Pharmacological properties

ATCVet Code: QP52AC11

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs.

Albendazole belongs to the benzimidazole class of anthelmintics.

Benzimidazoles bind to nematode tubulin, a protein necessary for the formation and viability of microtubules. This occurs primarily in absorptive intestinal cells resulting in the absence of microtubules in the intestinal cells of the nematode, with the result that these cells cannot absorb nutrients, thus causing a consequent reduction in glycogen and effective starvation of the parasites. Structural differences have been shown to exist between tubulin from mammalian and helminth sources, resulting in the preferential toxicity of albendazole to the helminth and not to the host. Benzimidazoles have also been shown to inhibit the fumarate reductase system of helminths and impair energy production.

The selenium and cobalt are trace elements of use as nutritional supplements and are not intended to be used therapeutically. Administration of ionophores to lambs have been shown to enhance selenium bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ionophores and Ovispec S&C 10 % w/v may therefore lead to an increased risk of selenium toxicity.

Anthelmintic Class: 1-BZ

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

None stated

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Target species

Cattle and sheep.

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Indications

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing, immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs.

In Cattle

It is active against the following species:

Roundworms: Teladorsagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia and Strongyloides spp. It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Cooperia and Teladorsagia.

Lungworms: Dictyocaulus viviparus.

Tapeworms: Moniezia spp.

Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

The product is ovicidal and will kill fluke and roundworm eggs, thus reducing pasture contamination.

In Sheep

It is active against benzimidazole-susceptible strains of the following species:

Roundworms: Teladorsagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus (including N. battus), Chabertia and Oesophagostomum. It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Teladorsagia.

Lungworms: Dictyocaulus filaria.

Tapeworms: Moniezia spp.

Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

The product is ovicidal and will kill fluke and roundworm eggs, thus reducing pasture contamination.

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Dosage

For oral administration only using properly calibrated dosing equipment. To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked.

Shake the container before use.

Do not mix with other products.

Cattle:

Worm dose

For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight (0.075 ml/kg bodyweight).

Fluke and worm dose

For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in cattle.

Dosage: 10 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight (0.1 ml/kg bodyweight).

Sheep:

Worm Dose

For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight (0.05 ml/kg bodyweight).

Fluke and Worm Dose

For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in sheep.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight (0.075 ml/kg bodyweight).

Administration with a suitable drenching gun is recommended (see 4.5).

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Contraindications

Do not use in animals with known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.

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Adverse reactions

None known.

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Warnings

Avoid the introduction of contamination during use.

The product should only be used in areas where deficiencies of cobalt and selenium are likely to occur. If in any doubt, seek the advice of a veterinary surgeon.

i) Special precautions for use in animals

Care must be taken not to damage the pharyngeal region when dosing, particularly in sheep.

Do not administer other cobalt and selenium supplements concurrently unless specifically advised by your vet. Not to be diluted.

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

Avoid direct contact with the product.

Wear suitable protective clothing including impermeable rubber gloves. In the event of accidental eye exposure, flush eye thoroughly with running water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. In the event of accidental skin exposure, wash the affected areas with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash hands after use.

3

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The use of the product in breeding bulls or pregnant cattle is not expected to interfere with their reproductive performance.

Do not dose ewes at the ‘fluke and worm’ dose rate (7.5 mg/kg), during tupping or for 1 month after removing the rams.

Ovispec S&C 10 % w/v can be safely used during lactation.

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Interactions

Administration of ionophores to lambs has been shown to enhance selenium bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ionophores and the product may therefore lead to an increased risk of selenium toxicity.

3

Overdose

Benzimidazoles have a wide safety margin.

3

Special warnings

Cattle suffering from severe lung damage due to heavy lungworm infestation may continue to cough for some weeks after dosing.

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 benzimidazoles (which includes albendazole) has been reported in Teladorsagia, Haemonchus, Cooperia and Trichostrongylus species in small ruminants in a number of countries, including the EU. Resistance to albendazole has been reported in Cooperia and Teladorsagia species in cattle in developed countries such as in New Zealand. 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.

To reduce this risk, dosing programmes should be discussed with a veterinary surgeon.

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Withdrawal period

Cattle:

Meat: 14 days

Milk: 60 hours

Sheep:

Meat: 4 days

Milk: Do not use in sheep producing milk for human consumption.

3

Incompatibilities

None known

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Immediate packaging

1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 litre white high density polyethylene back pack with white high density polyethylene cap (screw fit).

10.0 litres high density polyethylene jerricans with white high density polyethylene cap (screw fit) with induction reseal liner.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

Do not store above 25 °C.

3

Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 18 months

3

Disposal of unused product

DANGEROUS to fish and aquatic life.

Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the product or used containers.

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 50146/4032

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

17 December 2001

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

April 2026

Gavin Hall Approved: 06 May 2026

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Registration holder

Bimeda Animal Health Limited

2 / 3 / 4 Airton Close

Tallaght

Dublin 24

Ireland

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep, 50146/4032 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: Ovidrench S & C 10% w/v Oral Suspension for Cattle and Sheep UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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