Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets 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 Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets Cats need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets Cats?
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate. ATCvet code: QP52AA51.13
What is the withdrawal period of Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets 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:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Maize starch

Povidone K25

Cellulose, microcrystalline (E460)

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate (E572)

Hypromellose

Macrogol 4000

Titanium dioxide (E171)

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

The tablet can be divided into halves.

3

Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QP52AA51

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

The veterinary medicinal 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.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

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.

3

Target species

Cats.

3

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.

3

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 veterinary medicinal 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 veterinary medicinal product at 14 day intervals until 2-3 weeks after weaning.

3

Contraindications

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

Do not use simultaneously with other deworming prouducts 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.

3

Adverse reactions

Cats:

Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): Digestive tract disorders (e.g. hypersalivation and/or vomiting)*

Neurological disorders (e.g. ataxia)*

*Mild and transient.

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.

3

Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

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 or the label to the physician.

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.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

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.

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

3

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy:

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy.

Do not use during pregnancy.

Lactation:

Can be used during lactation.

3

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).

3

Overdose

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

3

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 veterinary medicinal product.

3

Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

3

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

3

Immediate packaging

Blister packs consisting of cold-formed OPA/Al/PVC foil and aluminium foil.

Pack size: Carton containing 1 blister pack with 2 tablets.

3

Storage

Store unused halved tablets below 25 °C.

Any unused halved tablet should be returned to the open blister pocket and kept out of the sight and reach of children.

3

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.

3

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.

3

Additional information

Vm 01656/4187

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

27 March 2019

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

May 2026

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS

Veterinary medicinal product not subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.

Approved 16 May 2026

3

Registration holder

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto

3

Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets Cats, 01656/4187 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: Pet Shield Worm Screen 230 mg/20 mg Tablets Cats UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

Other products with the same active substance

All products with this active substance (95)

The same active substance in other countries

These are different medicines with different authorisations. The dispensing status is the one on each product's own page, which gives its basis. The leaflet of the product in hand applies.

Spain

All products with this active substance (14)

Poland

All products with this active substance (20)

Ukraine

All products with this active substance (14)