Contraindications
Avoid deep anaesthesia of young salmon during the final smolting period.
Special warnings (for each target species)
None
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
During anaesthesia, the fish must be closely monitored. A number of factors influence the efficacy and safety of the product, including concentration of the drug in water, duration of exposure, temperature, oxygen and density of biomass. Hence it is recommended to test the selected drug concentration and exposure time is conducted with a small group of representative fish before large numbers are medicated, particularly when water temperature is at the upper or lower ends of the normal temperature ranges for the species being treated. The product should be dissolved in water of the same composition and characteristics as that to which the fish are accustomed.
To minimise damage and loss when medicated the level of sedation should allow fish to maintain their equilibrium and swimming position.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the medicinal product to animals
Benzocaine may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following ingestion or contact with the skin or mucosa. In rare cases, benzocaine may cause methaemoglobinaemia (excessive methaemoglobin in the blood) in people who are hypersensitive. Cyanosis (blue skin or lips) may occur as a result of excessive methaemoglobin concentrations.
Avoid handling this product if you know you are sensitised to benzocaine, or if you have been advised not to work with such preparations.
As an anaesthetic, benzocaine may cause adverse reactions, including nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular alterations. This includes direct contact with skin, which can cause local anaesthesia and prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis.
This veterinary medicinal product also contains DMSO as an excipient, which may be irritant to the skin.
Avoid contact with the eyes, skin and clothing.
Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling the product or the anaesthetic bath.
Always wear impermeable gloves when handling the product and preparing stock solution or the anaesthetic bath.
In case of contact with the eyes, flush immediately with plenty of clean water. In case of skin contact, wash the exposed area immediately with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothes immediately. If you develop symptoms following exposure, you should seek medical advice and show the package leaflet or the label to the doctor.
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet / label to the doctor. Vomiting may be induced; activated charcoal may be administered.
Foetal deaths may occur following administration of benzocaine in human beings.
Pregnant women should be extra careful to avoid exposure if handling the product.
Wash hands thoroughly after use.
Other precautions
In order to protect the environment, used solution must be transferred to a holding tank filled with water with subsequent controlled release for dilution in the effluent to be discharged from the facility. See below, section 'Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such products, if appropriate'
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
None known
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established for breeder fish. Use only according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No data available
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
In case of overdose, immediately transfer the fish to clear, well oxygenated flowing water and make sure the mouth and gills are open.
High concentrations or prolonged exposure may cause medullary collapse, cardiac arrest and death. No antidote is available.
Withdrawal period(s)
Meat: 7 degree days
Do not use during stripping of fish eggs intended for human consumption.