RSPCA FLEAaway Combo 50 mg/60 mg Spot-on Solution for Cats
(S)-Methoprene, Fipronil
Last verified
Veterinary medicinal product: spot-on solution. Distribution category: AVM-GSL (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: (S)-Methoprene, Fipronil.1
- 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
- (S)-Methoprene, Fipronil
- ATCvet code
- QP53AX653
- 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 0.5 ml pipette contains:
Active substances:
Fipronil 50 mg
S-methoprene 60 mg
Excipients:
| Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents | Quantitative composition if that information is essential for proper administration of the veterinary medicinal product |
|---|---|
| Butylhydroxyanisole (E320) | 0.1 mg |
| Butylhydroxytoluene (E321) | 0.05 mg |
| Povidone (K25) | |
| Polysorbate 80 | |
| Ethanol 96 per cent | |
| Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether |
Clear yellow solution.
Pharmacological properties
4.1 ATCvet code: QP53AX65
4.2 Pharmacodynamics
Fipronil is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to the phenylpyrazole family. It acts by interacting with ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby blocking pre- and post- synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes. This results in uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system and death of insects or acarines. Fipronil kills fleas within 24 hours, ticks (Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus) and lice within 48 hours post-exposure.
S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) of the class of compounds known as juvenile hormone analogues that inhibit the development of immature stages of insects. This compound mimics the action of juvenile hormone and causes impaired development and death of the developing stages of fleas. The on-animal ovicidal activity of S-methoprene results from either direct penetration of the eggshell of newly laid eggs or from absorption through the cuticle of the adult fleas. S-methoprene is also effective in preventing flea larvae and pupae from developing, which prevents contamination of the environment of treated animals with the immature stages of fleas.
4.3 Pharmacokinetics
Studies of metabolism of fipronil have demonstrated that the major metabolite is the sulfone derivative of fipronil.
S-methoprene is extensively degraded into carbon dioxide and acetate that are subsequently incorporated into endogenous materials.
The pharmacokinetic profiles after topical application of fipronil and S-methoprene in combination were studied in cats in comparison to intravenous dosing of fipronil or S-methoprene alone. This established absorption and other pharmacokinetic parameters under conditions mimicking clinical practice. The topical application, with additional potential oral exposure from licking, resulted in overall systemic absorption of fipronil (18%) with a mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of approximately 100 ng/ml fipronil and 13 ng/ml of fipronil sulfone in plasma.
Peak fipronil plasma concentrations are rapidly attained (mean tmax approximately 6 h) and decline with a mean terminal half-life of approximately 25 h.
Fipronil is slightly metabolised to fipronil sulfone in cats.
Plasma concentrations of S-methoprene were generally below the limit of quantitation (20 ng/ml) in cats after topical application.
Both S-methoprene and fipronil, together with its major metabolite, are well- distributed in the haircoat of cats within one day after application. The concentrations of fipronil, fipronil sulfone and S-methoprene in the hair coat decrease with time and are detectable for at least 59 days after dosing. Parasites are killed through contact rather than by systemic exposure.
No pharmacological interaction between fipronil and S-methoprene was noted.
Target species
Cats
Indications
To be used against infestations with fleas, alone or in association with ticks and/or biting lice:
Treatment of fleas (Ctenocephalides spp.). Insecticidal efficacy against new infestations with adult fleas persists for 4 weeks. Prevention of the multiplication of fleas by inhibiting the development of eggs (ovicidal activity), larvae and pupae (larvicidal activity) originating from eggs laid by adult fleas for six weeks after application.
Treatment of ticks (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor variabilis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus). The product has a persistent acaricidal efficacy for up to 2 weeks against ticks (based on experimental data).
Treatment of biting lice (Felicola subrostratus).
Dosage
For external use only – Spot-on application.
One pipette of 0.5 ml per cat, corresponding to a minimum recommended dose of 5 mg/kg for fipronil and 6 mg/kg for S-methoprene, by topical application to the skin. In the absence of safety studies, the minimum treatment interval is 4 weeks.
Method of administration:
1. Remove the pipette from its packaging. Hold the pipette in an upright position, twist and pull the cap off.
2. Turn the cap around and place the other end of the cap back on the pipette. Push and twist the cap to break the seal, then remove the cap from the pipette. 3. Part the coat on the back of the animal at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades until the skin is visible.
4. Place the tip of the pipette onto the skin and squeeze the pipette several times to empty its contents completely and directly onto the skin in one spot.
Contraindications
Do not use on kittens less than 8 weeks old and/or weighing less than 1 kg. Do not use on sick (e.g. systemic diseases, fever) or convalescent animals. Do not use if your cat has a hypersensitivity to fipronil or S-methoprene or the other ingredients.
Do not use on rabbits as adverse drug reactions, even death, may occur.
Do not use in any other non-target species.
Adverse reactions
Do not overdose.
Cat:
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):
Application site skin scaling, hair loss, itching, reddening*
Generalised itching or hair loss
Undetermined frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data):
Increased salivation
Vomiting
Increased sensitivity to stimulation, depression, other nervous signs
*Transient.
In the case of licking the administration site, a brief period of excessive salivation may be observed due mainly to the nature of the carrier.
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 also section “contact details” of the package leaflet.
Warnings
Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Avoid contact with the animal’s eyes.
It is important to make sure that the product is applied to an area where the animal cannot lick it off and to make sure that animals do not lick each other following treatment.
There may be an attachment of single ticks. For this reason a transmission of infectious diseases cannot be completely excluded if conditions are unfavourable.
The potential toxicity of the product for kittens of less than 8 weeks of age in contact with a treated queen is not documented. Special care should be taken in this case.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals:
This veterinary medicinal product can cause mucous membrane, skin and eye irritation. Therefore, contact of the veterinary medicinal product with mouth, skin and eyes should be avoided.
People with a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to fipronil, S-methoprene, or alcohol should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. Avoid contents coming into contact with the fingers. If the veterinary medicinal product comes into contact with fingers, wash hands with soap and water.
After accidental eye contact, rinse carefully with clean water.
If the veterinary medicinal product is accidentally swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Wash hands after use.
Do not smoke, drink or eat during application.
Treated animals should not be handled until the application site is dry, and children should not be allowed to play with treated animals until the application site is dry. It is therefore recommended that animals are not treated during the day, but should be treated during the early evening, and that recently treated animals are not allowed to sleep with owners, especially children.
Keep pipettes in original packaging until ready to use and dispose of used pipettes immediately.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
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.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The product can be used during pregnancy (For treatment during the lactating period, see section 4.5 i)
Interactions
Do not use simultaneously with other flea products which are applied directly on to the animal.
Overdose
The risk of experiencing adverse effects may increase with overdosing (see section 4.6).
No undesirable effects were observed in target animal safety studies in cats and kittens aged 8 weeks and older and weighing about 1 kg treated once a month at five times the recommended dose for six consecutive months.
Itching may occur following treatment.
Overdose application of the product will cause a sticky appearance of hairs at the treatment spot. However, should this occur, it will disappear within 24 hours post application.
Special warnings
When treating infestations of parasites, all in-contact animals should be treated with an appropriate product at the same time. Fleas from pets often infest the animal's basket, bedding and regular resting areas such as carpets and soft furnishings which should be treated, in case of massive infestation and at the beginning of the control measures, with a suitable insecticide and vacuumed regularly.
Bathing and/or shampooing should be avoided. No information on the effect of bathing or the use of a shampoo on the effectiveness of the product in cats is available. Based on information available for dogs, bathing/immersion in water within 2 days after application of the product and more frequent bathing than once a week should be avoided.
Withdrawal period
Not applicable.
Incompatibilities
None known.
Immediate packaging
White polypropylene single-dose pipette packaged in aluminium foil sachets. Cardboard box containing 1, 3 or 6 pipettes.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Storage
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.
Shelf life
Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years
Disposal of unused product
product or waste materials derived from the use of such products
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.
The veterinary medicinal product should not enter water courses as Fipronil and S- methoprene may be dangerous for fish and other aquatic organisms.
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.
Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the veterinary medicinal product or empty container.
Additional information
Vm 01656/3008 Vm 01656/5008
8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION
19 July 2022
9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
June 2026
10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Veterinary medicinal product not subject to prescription.
Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.
Approved: 16 June 2026
Registration holder
KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto
Regulations
- Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2033), Schedule 32