Introduction

Company name: Janssen Animal Health

A division of Janssen-Cilag Ltd

50-100 Holmers Farm Way

High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire

HP12 4EG

Telephone: 01494 567555

Fax: 01494 567556

Email: ahealth@jacgb.jnj.com

Presentation

White oral suspension containing 50 mg closantel and 75 mg mebendazole per ml.

Uses

For the control of fascioliasis (due to Fasciola hepatica - mature and immature) and gastrointestinal nematodes and cestodes in sheep and lambs.

Mebadown Super is active against benzimidazole susceptible strains of lungworm, roundworms, tapeworms (heads and segments):

Gastro-intestinal roundworms: Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodirus spp., Cooperia spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Chabertia ovina, Bunostomum spp., Trichuris ovis, Stronglyloides papillosus.

Lungworm: Dictyocaulus filaria

Tapeworm: Moniezia spp.

Control of: the larval stages of Oestrus ovis (Sheep nasal bot fly).

Control of: inhibited, immature and adult stages of Haemonchus contortus (Barber Pole worm) including benzimidazole-resistant strains.

Fluke activity

Stage	% Kill
Adults	97–100%
6–8 weeks immature	91–95%
5 weeks immature	91%
3–4 weeks immature	23–73%

Ticks: Ixodes ricinus feeding on sheep at the time of treatment are likely to produce fewer viable eggs.

Dosage and administration

1 ml of Mebadown Super per 5 kg bodyweight (ie 10 mg/kg bodyweight closantel and 15 mg/kg bodyweight mebendazole).

For example:
Bodyweight	Dose
up to 5 kg	1 ml
6–10 kg	2 ml
11–20 kg	4 ml
21–30 kg	6 ml
31–40 kg	8 ml
41–50 kg	10 ml
51–60 kg	12 ml
61–70 kg	14 ml
71–80 kg	16 ml

Give orally as a drench. Suitable for use with most types of standard drenching equipment. Shake container well before each use.

Suggested dosing schedule

Gastrointestinal worms

The frequency of treatment with Mebadown Super will depend on the level of pasture contamination. Treat ewes prior to lambing, 6 weeks after lambing and prior to tupping to reduce pasture contamination. Dose lambs at regular intervals during high risk periods.

H. contortus: For the treatment and prevention of inhibited, immature and adult stages of benzimidazole resistant and susceptible H. contortus, dose at lambing to help prevent pasture contamination by infected ewes. Treat all animals at 6 weekly intervals during high risk periods in summer and autumn.

Fluke

All sheep on infested pasture should be dosed at regular intervals during the fluke season (Sept - Mar).

Since closantel has been shown to delay egg-laying for up to 13 weeks after artificial infection, treatment intervals of 10 - 12 weeks throughout the fluke season are recommended. In severe fluke seasons, more frequent dosing may be necessary.

The treatment of ewes with a single dose of Mebadown Super in the spring will contribute to reducing pasture contamination during the following summer and autumn.

Any sheep brought in from fluke areas should be dosed before they join the flock.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Not to be used in sheep producing milk for human consumption.

Mebadown Super may be administered to pregnant animals. The product may be used during the lactation period but should not be administered to animals producing milk for human consumption.

Do not exceed the stated dose of Mebadown Super.

Assess bodyweight as accurately as possible before calculating dosage. Mebadown Super should be administered carefully with a drenching gun.

Intensive use or misuse of anthelmintics can give rise to resistance. To reduce this risk, dosing programmes should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon.

At therapeutic doses, Mebadown Super is not toxic and causes no side effects.

Keep out of reach of children. For animal treatment only.

Withdrawal periods

Animals must not be slaughtered for human consumption during treatment. Sheep may be slaughtered for human consumption only after 64 days from the last treatment.

Overdose

Symptoms of serious closantel overdosage are decreased vision or blindness, anorexia, inco-ordination and general weakness.

Operator warnings

Wash splashes from skin and eyes immediately. Take off immediately any contaminated clothing. Wash hands and exposed skin before meals and after work.

Disposal

Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with product or used containers. Dispose of any unused product and empty containers in accordance with guidance from your local waste regulation authority.

Pharmaceutical precautions

The time between withdrawal of the first and last doses from the container should not be unduly prolonged.

Protect from light.

Legal category

POM-VPS

Packaging Quantities

1 L, 2.5 L and 5 L plastic flexipacks.

Further information

Mebadown Super can be used in all age groups of sheep. It can be used in rams at any time including during the breeding season. It can be used at any time during pregnancy.

Mebendazole belongs to the benzimidazole (1-BZ) class of anthelmintics.

Marketing authorisation number

Vm 00242/4041.