Regulin 18 mg Implant
Melatonin
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: implant. Distribution category: POM-VPS (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Melatonin.1
In short: questions and answers
- Does Regulin 18 mg Implant 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 Regulin 18 mg Implant for?
- Sheep.1
- What is the active substance in Regulin 18 mg Implant?
- Melatonin.1
- What is the withdrawal period of Regulin 18 mg Implant according to the leaflet?
- Sheep, meat: 0 days; Sheep, milk: 0 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
- Melatonin
- Manufacturer
- Marketing authorisation holder: Ceva Sante Animale
Withdrawal period
Summary of product characteristics
Composition
mg per implant
Active ingredient: Melatonin 18.00
Other ingredients: Quinoline yellow lake (E104) 0.04
For a full list of excipients see section 6.1
6.1 List of excipients
Quinoline yellow aluminium lake (E104)
Ethyl cellulose (E462)
Vegetable oil hydrogenated
Dibutyl Phtalate
Pharmaceutical form
Implant.
Yellow cylindrical implant.
Pharmacological properties
Regulin® implants contain melatonin, a natural secretion of the pineal gland. Melatonin is the day length messenger by which all animals recognise different seasons. The pineal gland only produces melatonin during hours of darkness. As days shorten the amount of melatonin secreted increases and this signals the reproductive system to increase activity, producing a natural peak in breeding performance in the autumn. Regulin works by mimicking this effect: each implant slowly releases melatonin over an extended period.
Target species
Sheep (ewes)
Indications
To improve the reproductive performance of pure bred and cross bred lowland sheep which are to be mated early in the season before the usual peak of reproductive activity.
When used as directed, it stimulates the early onset of natural reproductive activity giving improved reproductive performance of flocks mated early in the season. The product is recommended for use in Suffolk and Suffolk-cross type flocks intended to start lambing between early December and mid-January and in the Mule and half-bred flocks starting lambing between late December and mid-February.
Dosage
Dose:
One implant per ewe by subcutaneous administration at the base of the ear.
Administration:
Use the implanter to administer one implant near the base of the ear.
In Suffolk and Suffolk-cross types, the implant should be used from mid-May to late June for ram introduction in late June and July. In Mule and half-bred flocks it should be administered from early June to July for ram introduction from mid-July to late August.
Do not use at times other than those recommended. Do not administer if sheep are wet or dirty.
Treatment regime:
Day 1 (30 weeks before intended start of lambing).
As the presence of any ram (and also male goats) will interfere with the ovulatory process, isolate ewes from all males. The ewes should be out of sight, sound and smell. Separating males into the next field from females is not adequate.
Day 7:
Implant ewes at the base of the ear. Do not administer if sheep are wet or dirty. Ewes must remain isolated from male sheep and goats.
Day 42 (35 days after implantation):
The period between implanting and introduction of the males must be not less than 30 days and no more than 40 days. Introduce rams, but expect a delay of 14-21 days before mating activity commences. Vasectomised rams may be used for the first 14 days to ensure a more compact lambing period. The peak of mating activity will occur 25-35 days after introduction of the rams.
Contraindications
Only use in adult ewes and shearlings
Do not use at times other than those recommended
Use by subcutaneous implantation at the base of the ear only
Not effective on sexually immature animals
Adverse reactions
None
Warnings
i. Special precautions for use in animals
Avoid damaging implants. Use only sharp undamaged needles.
Needles should be from gamma irradiated packs only. Replace the needle after each batch of 25 sheep to overcome blunting. Regulin will not synchronise oestrus.
ii. Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the medicinal product to animals
Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection. In the case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Use in ewes suckling lambs at foot may not give optimum results. The product will be safe to use in pregnant ewes but obviously will not be effective.
Interactions
None known
Overdose
No special actions required. In any event, overdose is highly unlikely
Special warnings
Regulin® only overcomes the effects of seasonality. If there are any other adverse influences on reproduction present within a flock, the full benefit of Regulin treatment may be reduced or even eliminated. Aspects of implantation related to animal welfare and more intensive husbandry practices should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon prior to use.
Withdrawal period
Meat: Zero days
Milk: Zero hours
Incompatibilities
None known
Immediate packaging
25 yellow cylindrical implants are contained in separate wells of a polythene cartridge, designed to fit a manually operated implanter gun. Cartridges are housed in preformed UPVC blister trays sealed with foil. Two blister trays (50 implants) are surrounded by a cardboard carton.
Storage
The product is sterile. Only open each blister section when required. To maintain sterility, opened product must be discarded at the end of the working day.
Keep blister trays in outer carton.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 4 years
Disposal of unused product
Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Additional information
Vm 14966/5017
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
01 January 1993
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
September 2025
Gavin Hall Approved: 30 September 2025
Registration holder
Ceva Sante Animale
8 rue de Logrono
33500 Libourne
France
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32