Target species
Horses and ponies.
Indications for use
Pyrantel embonate is a broad spectrum anthelmintic. Pyrantel embonate is indicated for use in the horse for the control and treatment of adult infections of large and small strongyles, Pinworms, Roundworms, Tapeworms.
Pyrantel embonate has a broad spectrum of activity, including activity against:
Large strongyles: Stronglylus vulgaris, S. edentatus, S. equinus.
Small strongyles:Trichonema spp. (Cyathostomes), Triodontophorus spp.
Pinworms: Oxyuris equi, Probstmayria vivipara.
Large roundworms: Parascaris equorum.
Tape worms: Anoplocephala perfoliata.
Contra-indications
Not for use in foals less than 4 weeks of age.
Contraindicated in known sensitivity to pyrantel and in severely debilitated animals.
Special warnings for target species
Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of development of resistence and could ultimately result in ineffective therapy:
•Too frequent and repeated use of anthelmintics from the same class, over an extended period of time.
•Underdosing, which may be due to underestimation of weight, misadministration of the product or lack of calibration of the dosing device (if any).
Suspected clinical cases of resistence to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test). Where the results of the test(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to another pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.
Resistance to pyrantel has been reported in cyathostomes in horses (widespread in the USA and Canada). Therefore the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further selection for resistance to anthelmintics.
Special precautions for use in animals
The same syringe should only be used to dose two animals if they are both healthy and are either running together, or are on the same premises and in direct contact with each other.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Direct contact with the skin should be avoided.
Wash hands and any other parts of the body which comes into contact with the product after use.
Avoid handling the product if you know you are hypersensitive to pyrantel.
Adverse reactions
Pyrantel embonate is safe for horses and ponies of all ages, including sucklings, pregnant mares and studs. Impaction of the small intestine may occur in foals, infected with high numbers of Parascaris equorum. Symptoms (colic) may be seen as soon as 30 minutes after treatment
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The product is safe to give to pregnant and lactating mares provided recommendations on current best practice for parasite control are followed.
Interactions
Combined administration of pyrantel and levamisole or piperazine is not recommended.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Control and treatment of Strongyles, Oxyuris and Parascaris:
Embotape should be used at a dose rate of 19 mg pyrantel embonate per kg bodyweight. The prescribed amount of Embotape is deposited on the tongue of the animal and the animal allowed to swallow. The complete contents of one syringe contains 11.4g pyrantel embonate (6 graduated doses of 1.9g) in 28.5g paste and is sufficient for the treatment of 600kg bodyweight. Each graduation of the syringe is sufficient for the treatment of 100kg body-weight.
Control and treatment of Anoplocephala (Tapeworm):
Embotape should be used at a dose rate of 38mg pyrantel embonate per kg bodyweight (i.e. twice the dose used for stronglyes).
To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked. Inappropriate use of anthelmintics may increase resistance selection pressure and lead to reduced efficacy. The decision to use the product should be based on professional advice and take into account current best practice recommendations for parasite control.
Overdose
Pyrantel embonate is of low oral toxicity. Oral doses of up to 2000mg/kg bodyweight in mice and rats and 1000mg/kg in dogs have produced no evidence of toxicity.
Pyrantel embonate, at dosages of up to 60mg/kg bodyweight (20 times the standard therapeutic dose) had no adverse effects on horses, ponies or foals. Monitoring included haematological parameters, and serum cholinesterase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels.
Withdrawal periods
Not to be used in horses and ponies intended for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption.
The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national horse passport legislation.