Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats

Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate

Last verified

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

In short: questions and answers

Does Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats need a prescription?
Over the counter. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats for?
Cats.1
What is the active substance in Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats?
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate. ATCvet code: QP52AA51.13
What is the withdrawal period of Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets 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

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
Cats1
Active substance
Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate
ATCvet code
QP52AA513
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Vetoquinol UK 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

Active substances:mg per tablet
Pyrantel Embonate230.0
Praziquantel20.0

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

6.1 List of excipients

Maize starch

Microcrystalline cellulose

Povidone K25

Magnesium stearate

Silica colloidial anhydrous

Opadry White TF 276U280002

3

Pharmaceutical form

Film-coated tablet.

White to yellowish scored coated tablet. The tablet can be divided into equal halves.

3

Pharmacological properties

An anthelmintic active against gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms. The product contains two active ingredients:

1. Pyrantel embonate (pamoate) a tetrahydropyrimidine derivative and

2. Praziquantel, a partially hydrogenated pyrazino-isoquinoline derivative

ATC VetCode: QP52 AA51

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Anthelmintics, Praziquantel combinations.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

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 expulsion from the gastrointestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.

Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed into and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vivo and in vitro 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.

In this fixed combination product pyrantel is active against the following ascarids: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. Praziquantel is effective against tapeworms in particular Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.

The product has also been shown to be efficacious in the control of hookworms, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense and the tapeworm Joyeuxiella pasqualei, none of which occur naturally in the UK or Ireland but may occasionally be found in imported animals. Since it contains praziquantel, the product is effective against Echinococcus multilocularis, which does not occur in the UK but is becoming more common in some European countries.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

No data available.

3

Target species

Cats

3

Indications

For the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms:

Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis.

3

Dosage

Dosage

The recommended dose rates are: 57.5 mg/kg pyrantel embonate and 5 mg/kg praziquantel. This is equivalent to 1 tablet per 4 kg bodyweight.

2 kg bodyweight: ½ tablet

4 kg bodyweight: 1 tablet

6 kg bodyweight: 1 ½ tablets

Administration and Duration of Treatment

Single oral administration. The tablet should be given directly to the animal, but if necessary can be disguised in food.

3

Contraindications

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

Not intended for use in kittens less than 6 weeks of age.

Do not use during pregnancy.

3

Adverse reactions

Mild and transient digestive tract disorders such as hypersalivation and/or vomiting and mild and transient neurological disorders such as ataxia may occur in extremely rare cases.

3

Warnings

i. Special precautions for use in animals

None.

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

In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to a cat, or by adding them to the cat’s food, should wash their hands afterwards.

3

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Not to be used during pregnancy but may be used during lactation.

3

Interactions

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

3

Overdose

No information.

3

Special warnings

Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm - Dipylidium caninum. Tapeworm infestation is certain to re-occur unless control of intermediate hosts such as fleas, mice etc is undertaken.

As a precautionary measure to prevent the establishment of Echinococcus multilocularis in the UK, it is recommended that all dogs and cats entering the country be treated with praziquantel.

3

Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

3

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

3

Immediate packaging

Container material: Polyethylene coated aluminium foil blister pack

Closure: Heat seal

Container sizes: Cartons containing 2, 24 or 96 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

3

Storage

Do not store above 25°C.

Do not remove tablets from strip packaging until required for use.

Any part used tablets should be discarded.

3

Shelf life

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

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Additional information

Vm 08007/5028

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

31 July 2019

10 DATE OF LAST REVISION OF THE TEXT

August 2025

Gavin Hall

Approved: 13 August 2025

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Registration holder

Vetoquinol UK Limited

Steadings Barn

Pury Hill Business Park

Nr. Alderton

Towcester

Northamptonshire

NN12 7LS

3

Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats, 08007/5028 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: Wormclear 230 mg/20 mg Ellipsoid Film-coated Tablets for Cats UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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