Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs

Febantel, Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: tablet. Distribution category: NFA-VPS (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Febantel, Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs for?
Dogs.1
What is the active substance in Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs?
Febantel, Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate. ATCvet code: QP52AC55.13
What is the withdrawal period of Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs 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

NFA-VPS: Non-Food Animal - Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person. For animals not kept for food. No prescription is needed, but it is supplied only by a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist or a suitably qualified person (SQP).12

Supplied without a prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Dogs1
Active substance
Febantel, Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate
ATCvet code
QP52AC553
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Divasa - Farmavic S.A

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 tablet contains:

Active substances:

Praziquantel 50 mg

Pyrantel embonate 144 mg

Febantel 150 mg

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituents

Maize starch

Lactose monohydrate

Microcrystalline cellulose

Povidone K29/32

Magnesium stearate

Sodium laurilsulfate

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Meat flavour

Yellowish round tablets with brown dots.

The tablets can be divided into two or four equal parts.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code

QP52AC55

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

This product contains anthelmintics active against gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms.

The product contains three active substances, as follows:

1. Febantel, a probenzimidazole

2. Pyrantel embonate (pamoate), a tetrahydropyrimidine derivative

3. Praziquantel, a partially hydrogenated pyrazinoisoquinoline derivative

In this fixed combination, 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 and Ancylostoma caninum. This combination shows synergistic activity in the case of hookworms.

The spectrum of activity of praziquantel covers all important cestode species in dogs, in particular Taenia spp., Dipylidium caninum, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. Praziquantel acts against all adult and immature forms of these parasites.

Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed through the parasite’s surface 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 the contraction and paralysis of the parasites. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolization of the syncytial tequment. 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 of the nematodes and thereby allow removal from the gastrointestinal 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 polymerisation. Formation of microtubules is thereby prevented, resulting in disruption of structures vital to the normal functioning of the helminth. Glucose uptake in particular is affected, leading to a depletion in cell ATP. The parasite dies upon exhaustion of its energy reserves, which occurs 2 – 3 days later.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

Perorally administered praziquantel is absorbed almost completely from the intestinal tract. After absorption, the drug is distributed to all organs. Praziquantel is 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. Only traces of non-metabolised praziquantel are excreted The pamoate 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 pamoate is quickly and almost completely metabolized into inactive metabolites that are excreted rapidly in the urine.

Febantel is absorbed relatively rapidly and metabolized to a number of metabolites including fenbendazole and oxfendazole, which have anthelmintic activity.

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Target species

Dogs

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Indications

For the treatment of mixed infestations with 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)

Tapeworms: Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Multiceps multiceps (adult and immature forms)

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Dosage

Oral use.

Dosage

The recommended dose rates are:15 mg febantel, 14.4 mg pyrantel embonate and 5 mg praziquantel per kg bodyweight. This is equivalent to 1 tablet per 10 kg bodyweight.

Tablets may be halved/quartered as required.

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

For example, a dog weighing

- 2.5 kg bodyweight receives ¼ of the tablet

- 5.0 kg bodyweight receives ½ of the tablet

- 10 kg bodyweight receives 1 tablet

- 15 kg bodyweight receives 1 ½ tablets

- 20 kg bodyweight receives 2 tablets

- 30 kg bodyweight receives 3 tablets etc.

Puppies should be treated at 2 weeks of age and every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age. Thereafter they should be treated at 3 month intervals. It is advisable to treat the bitch at the same time as the puppies. Not for use in dogs weighing less than 2.5 kg.

For routine worm control adult dogs should be treated every 3 months. For routine treatment a single dose is recommended. In the event of heavy roundworm infestation a repeat dose should be given after 14 days.

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

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 simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.

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Adverse reactions

Very rare (<1 animal / 10 000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

Digestive tract disorder1 (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea).

Lethargy, anorexia

Hyperactivity.

1Slight 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 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:

Not applicable.

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

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

Wash hands after use.

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 (OIE), 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

To be administered by a veterinary surgeon or under their direct responsibility.

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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 only according to the benefit risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

Use of the veterinary medicinal product is not recommended during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy. Do not exceed the stated dose when treating pregnant bitches.

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Interactions

Concurrent use with other cholinergic compounds can lead to toxicity. The effect of the active substances with acetylcholine esterase activity (e.g. organophosphate compounds) may be increased. The specific properties of piperazine (neuromuscular paralysis of the parasites) can antagonise the effect of pyrantel (spastic paralysis of the parasites).

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Overdose

The combination of praziquantel, pyrantel embonate and febantel is well tolerated in dogs. 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.

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

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

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

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Immediate packaging

PVC/PVDC aluminum blister with 2 or 10 tablets

Package sizes:

Carton box containing 1 blister of 2 tablets.

Carton box containing 1 blister of 10 tablets.

Carton box containing 2 blisters of 10 tablets.

Carton box containing 5 blisters of 10 tablets.

Carton box containing 10 blisters of 10 tablets.

Carton box containing 30 blisters of 10 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

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Storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Return any part tablet to the opened blister pack.

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Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 5 years

Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging: 15 days

Shelf-life after dividing the tablet into halves or quarters: 15 days

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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.

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Additional information

Vm 33229/4003

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

20 December 2013

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

June 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: 03 July 2026

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Registration holder

Divasa - Farmavic S.A

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs, 33229/4003 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: Wellplus Flavoured Tablets for Dogs UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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