Veloxa Chewable Tablets for Dogs

Composition

Each tablet contains:

Active substances mg/tablet

Febantel 150.0

Pyrantel 50.0

(corresponding to Pyrantel embonate) 144.0

Praziquantel 50.0

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Cetyl palmitate

Starch, pregelatinised

Sodium starch glycolate (type A)

Colloidal anhydrous silica

Magnesium stearate

Artificial beef flavour

Brownish, oval, divisible tablet. The tablet can be divided into two equal parts.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QP52AA51

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintics, febantel combinations.

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

In this fixed combination veterinary medicinal product pyrantel and febantel act against all relevant nematodes (ascarids, hookworms and whipworms) in dogs. In particular, the activity spectrum covers Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis. This combination shows synergistic activity in the case of hookworms and febantel is effective against T. vulpis. The spectrum of activity of praziquantel covers all important cestode species in dogs, in particular all Taenia spp, Dipylidium caninum, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis.

Praziquantel acts against adult and immature forms of these parasites.

Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that praziquantel causes severe damage to the parasite integument, resulting in contraction and paralysis. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolisation of the syncytial

tegument. This rapid contraction has been explained by changes in divalent cation fluxes, especially calcium.

Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist. Its mode of action is to stimulate nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the parasite, induce spastic paralysis and thereby allow removal from the gastro-intestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.

Within the mammalian system febantel undergoes ring closure forming fenbendazole and oxfendazole. It is these chemical entities which exert the anthelmintic effect by inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Formation of microtubules is thereby prevented, resulting in disruption to structures vital to the normal functioning of the helminth. Glucose uptake, in particular, is affected, leading to depletion in cell ATP. The parasite dies upon exhaustion of its energy reserves, which occurs 2-3 days later.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, praziquantel is almost completely absorbed from the intestinal tract. After absorption, the drug is widely distributed in the organism, metabolized into inactive forms in the liver and secreted in bile. It is excreted within 24 hours to more than 95% of the administered dosage.

The embonate salt of pyrantel has low aqueous solubility an attribute that reduces absorption from the gut and allows the drug to reach and be effective against parasites in the large intestine. Following absorption, pyrantel embonate is quickly and almost completely metabolised into inactive components which are rapidly excreted in the urine.

Febantel is an inactive pro-drug which is absorbed and then metabolised relative rapidly to a number of metabolites, including fenbendazole and oxfendazole, which have anthelmintic activity.

Following the single oral administration of this veterinary medicinal product the maximum plasma concentrations of praziquantel, pyrantel, fenbendazole and oxfendazole were found 327, 81, 128 and 165 ng/ml and were obtained after 2.2, 4.5, 5.2 and 6.3 hours.

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Target species

Dogs.

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Indications

Anthelmintic for treatment of mixed infections by the following roundworms and tapeworms in dogs and puppies:

Ascarids: Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina (adult and late immature forms)

Hookworms: Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma caninum (adults)

Whipworms: Trichuris vulpis (adults)

Tapeworms: Echinococcus spp. Taenia spp. and Dipylidium caninum (adult and immature forms).

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Dosage

For oral administration only.

Dosage

1 chewable tablet per 10 kg bodyweight (15 mg febantel, 5 mg pyrantel (as embonate) and 5 mg praziquantel/kg body weight).

For dogs weighing more than 30 kg (i.e. >30 kg) the Forte strength should be used.

To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.

Administration

The chewable tablets can be given directly to the dog or disguised in food. No starvation is needed before or after treatment.

Due to a lipid-coating of praziquantel and added flavour, the chewable tablets are taken by most dogs voluntarily.

Duration of Treatment

Not for use in dogs weighing less than 2 kg.

A single dose shall be used.

If there is a risk for re-infestation, the advice of a veterinarian should be sought regarding the need for and the frequency of repeat administration.

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Contraindications

Do not use in animals with a hypersensitivity to any of the active substances or the excipients.

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Adverse reactions

Dog:

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

* 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.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species

Tapeworm infestation is unlikely in pups less than 6 weeks of age.

The tablets are flavoured. In order to avoid any accidental ingestion, store tablets out of reach of animals.

To minimise the risk of re-infestation and new infestation, excreta should be collected and properly disposed of for 24 hours following treatment

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

In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the chewable tablet directly to a dog or by adding it to the dog’s food, should wash their hands afterwards.

In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

Other precautions

Since it contains praziquantel, the veterinary medicinal product is effective against Echinococcus spp. which do not occur in all EU member states but are becoming more common in some. 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

Parasite resistance to any particular class of anthelmintic may develop following frequent, repeated use of an anthelmintic of that class.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy:

Teratogenic effects attributed to high doses of febantel have been reported in sheep and rats. No studies have been performed in dogs during early pregnancy. Use of the veterinary medicinal product during pregnancy should be in accordance with a benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. It is recommended that the veterinary medicinal product is not used in dogs during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Do not exceed the stated dose when treating pregnant bitches.

Lactation:

The chewable tablets may be used during lactation.

Fertility:

Not applicable.

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Interactions

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine as the anthelmintic effects of pyrantel and piperazine may be antagonized.

Concurrent use with other cholinergic compounds can lead to toxicity.

Plasma concentrations of praziquantel may be decreased by concomitant administration with drugs that increase the activity of cytochrome P-450 enzymes (e.g. dexamethasone, phenobarbital).

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Overdose

In safety studies, a single dose of 5 times the recommended dose or greater gave rise to occasional vomiting.

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Special warnings

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.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

PVC/Aluminium/Polyamide blister-forming laminate with aluminium lidding foil containing 2 or 8 chewable tablets.

• Box containing 1 blister strip of 2 chewable tablets (2 chewable tablets)

• Box containing 2 blister strips of 2 chewable tablets (4 chewable tablets)

• Box containing 52 blister strips of 2 chewable tablets (104 chewable tablets)

• Box containing 1 blister strip of 8 chewable tablets (8 chewable tablets)

• Box containing 13 blister strips of 8 chewable tablets (104 chewable tablets)

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Keep the blister in the outer carton. Each time an unused half tablet is stored it should be returned to the open blister space and the blister inserted back into the outer carton.

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Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years.

Shelf-life of half tablets: 2 days.

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

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.

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Additional information

Vm 32823/4010

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

16 January 2013

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

February 2025

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: 15 May 2025

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Registration holder

Lavet Pharmaceuticals Ltd

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