Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for Cats

Fipronil

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: spot-on solution. Distribution category: AVM-GSL (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Fipronil.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for Cats need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for Cats?
Fipronil. ATCvet code: QP53AX15.13
What is the withdrawal period of Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for 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
Fipronil
ATCvet code
QP53AX153
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Pets Choice Limited

Withdrawal period

No withdrawal period is set for this drug: it is not intended for food-producing animals.3

Summary of product characteristics

Composition

One 0.5 ml pipette contains:

Active substance:

Fipronil 50mg

Excipients:

Butylhydroxyanisole E320 0.1mg

Butylhydroxytoluene E321 0.05mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

6.1 List of excipients

Butylhydroxyanisole E320

Butylhydroxytoluene E321

Benzyl alcohol

Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether

3

Pharmaceutical form

Spot-on solution.

Clear, pale amber solution.

3

Pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ectoparasiticides for topical use.

ATCvet code: QP53AX15

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Fipronil is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to the phenylpyrazole family. It acts by inhibiting the GABA complex, binding to the chloride channel and 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 acarids. Fipronil exhibits an insecticidal and acaricidal activity against fleas (Ctenocephalides spp) and acaricidal activity against ticks (Dermacentor reticulatus) in the cat. Fleas will be killed within 24 h. Ticks will usually be killed within two weeks after contact with fipronil.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

In vitro, fipronil is mainly metabolised with subcellular liver fractions to its sulfone derivative. However, this may be of limited relevance ‘in vivo’ as fipronil is poorly absorbed in the cat. The concentrations of fipronil on the hair decrease with time.

3

Target species

Cats.

3

Indications

Treatment of flea (Ctenocephalides spp.) infestations.

The product has a persistent insecticidal efficacy for up to 5 weeks against fleas (Ctenocephalides spp.).

Although no immediate killing effect against ticks has been demonstrated, the product has shown an acaricidal efficacy against Dermacentor reticulatus. If ticks of this species are present when the product is applied, all the ticks may not be killed within the first 48 hours but they will be killed within a week.

3

Dosage

Route of administration and dosage:

External use only.

Administer by topical application to the skin 1 pipette of 0.5 ml per animal.

Remove the pipette from the blister packaging. Hold the pipette in an upright position and snap off the top section of the cap, thereby opening the pipette.

Part the pet’s coat until the skin is visible. Place the tip of the tube directly against the bared skin and squeeze gently. Empty approximately half the contents at each of two points along the cat’s back. The first application point is at the base of the head and the second application point is between the shoulder blades. Squeeze the tube several times to ensure dosing is complete. Avoid applying the solution onto the fur and do not rub into the skin.

Application of the solution as directed minimises the possibility that the animal will lick the solution off.

Care should be taken to avoid excessive wetting of the hair with the product since this will cause a sticky appearance of hairs at the treatment spot. However, should this occur, it will usually disappear within 24-48 hours post application. Crystals may be seen on the hair and slight scaling may occur within 24-48 hours after application.

Treatment schedule:

For optimal control of flea infestation the treatment schedule can be based on the local epidemiological situation.

The minimum interval between two treatments is 4 weeks.

3

Contraindications

Do not use on kittens less than 2 months old and/or weighing less than 1 kg. Do not use on sick (systemic diseases, fever…) or convalescent animals.

Do not use in rabbits, as adverse drug reactions and even death could occur. Do not use on animals with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of excipients.

3

Adverse reactions

If licking occurs, a brief period of hypersalivation may be observed due mainly to the nature of the carrier.

Among the extremely rare suspected adverse reactions, transient cutaneous reactions at the application site (squamosis, local alopecia, pruritus, erythema) and general pruritus or alopecia have been reported after use. Exceptionally, hypersalivation, reversible neurologic symptoms (hyperesthesia, depression, nervous symptoms) or vomiting have been observed after use.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:

- Very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))

- Common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)

- Uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

- Rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)

- Very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports)

3

Warnings

i) Special precautions for use in animals

Avoid contact with the animal’s eyes. In the case of accidental eye contact, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with water.

Do not apply the product on wounds or damaged skin.

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.

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

This product can cause mucous membrane and eye irritation. Therefore, contact between the product and the mouth or eyes should be avoided.

In the case of accidental eye contact, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with water. If eye irritation persists seek medical advice and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Avoid contents coming into contact with the fingers. If this occurs, wash hands with soap and water. Wash hands after use.

Do not smoke, drink or eat during application.

People with a known hypersensitivity to fipronil or any of the other ingredients should avoid contact with the product. 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 should not be allowed to sleep with owners, especially children.

iii) Other precautions

The product may have adverse effects on painted, varnished or other household surfaces or furnishings.

3

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Laboratory studies using fipronil have not shown any evidence of teratogenic or embryotoxic effects. Studies have not been carried out with this product in pregnant and lactating queens. Use in pregnancy and lactation only in accordance with professional veterinary advice and a benefit/risk assessment.

3

Interactions

None known.

3

Overdose

No adverse effects were observed in a target animal safety study in 8 week-old kittens weighing about 1 kg and treated with 5 times the therapeutic dose once a month for 3 consecutive months. The risk of adverse effects (see section 4.6) may increase with cases of overdose.

3

Special warnings

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.

Avoid frequent swimming or shampooing the animal because the maintenance of effectiveness of the product in these cases has not been tested.

For optimum control of flea problems in a multi-pet household, all dogs and cats in the household should be treated with a suitable insecticide.

3

Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

3

Incompatibilities

None known.

3

Immediate packaging

White opaque or pink or green translucent polypropylene single-dose pipettes containing an extractable volume of 0.5 ml packaged in a clear PVC blister closed by heat sealing with aluminium foil and placed in a carton box or blister card.

Blister cards or boxes of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 pipettes.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

3

Storage

Do not store above 25 °C.

Store in a dry place.

Store in the original package.

3

Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years.

3

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.

Fipronil may adversely affect aquatic organisms. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the product or empty container.

3

Additional information

Vm 52797/5022

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

26 April 2013

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

February 2026

Gavin Hall Approved: 05 February 2026

3

Registration holder

Pets Choice Limited

Brentwood House

Lower Philips Road

Whitebirk Industrial Estate

Blackburn

Lancashire

BB1 5UD

United Kingdom

3

Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for Cats, 52797/5022 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: Scratch Flea Spot-on Solution 50mg for 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 (39)

Poland

All products with this active substance (34)

Ukraine

All products with this active substance (4)