A pale green free flowing suspension for oral administration. Each ml contains 25 mg Albendazole. Each ml also contains 0.27 mg selenium (as sodium selenite and 0.63 mg cobalt (as cobalt sulphate).

Albex 2.5% SC is a broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastro-intestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in sheep and cattle. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs. The product also contains selenium and cobalt as nutritional supplements.

In sheep it is active against benzimidazole-susceptible strains of the following species:

Roundworms: Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus (including N. battus), Chabertia and Oesophagostomum. It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Ostertagia. Lungworms: Dictyocaulus filaria. Tapeworms: Moniezia spp. Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

In cattle it is active against the following species:

Roundworms: Ostertagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, and Strongyloides spp. It is usually effective against inhibited larvae of Cooperia and Ostertagia. Lungworms: Dictyocaulus viviparus. Tapeworms: Moniezia spp. Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

Albex 2.5% SC is ovicidal and will kill fluke and roundworm eggs, thus reducing pasture contamination.

For oral administration only. To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked. Estimate bodyweight accurately.

For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs, 5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight which is equivalent to 2.0 ml Albex 2.5% SC per 10 kg bodyweight.

For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in sheep, 7.5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight, which is equivalent to 3 ml Albex 2.5% SC per 10 kg bodyweight.

For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs, 7.5 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight which is equivalent to 15 ml Albex 2.5% SC per 50 kg bodyweight.

For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in cattle, 10 mg albendazole per kg bodyweight, which is equivalent to 20 ml Albex 2.5% SC per 50 kg bodyweight.

Cattle over 400 kg - give a further 15 ml (worm dose) or 20 ml (fluke and worm dose) for each additional 50 kg bodyweight.

Known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.

Selenium and cobalt are included as nutritional supplements and are not intended to be used therapeutically. Administration of ionophores to lambs has been shown to enhance selenium bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ionophores and Albex 2.5% SC may therefore lead to an increased risk of selenium toxicity. Cattle suffering from severe lung damage due to heavy lungworm infestation may continue to cough for some weeks after treatment.

Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of development of resistance 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 body weight, misadministration of the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device (if any).

Suspected clinical cases of resistance 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 a different pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.

Resistance to benzimidazoles (which includes albendazole) has been reported in Teladorsagia Haemonchus, Cooper and Trichostrongylus species in small ruminants in a number of countries, including the EU. Resistance to albendazole has been reported in Cooperia and Teladorsagia species in cattle in developed countries such as New Zealand. 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.

Care must be taken not to damage the pharyngeal region when dosing, particularly in sheep. Do not administer other cobalt and selenium supplements concurrently with this product unless specifically advised by your veterinary surgeon. Not to be diluted or mixed with other products. Avoid the introduction of contamination during use. Intensive use or misuse of anthelmintics can give rise to resistance. To reduce the risk, dosing programmes should be discussed with a veterinary surgeon.

The product should only be used in areas where deficiencies of selenium and cobalt are likely to occur. In cases of doubt, consult a veterinary surgeon.

Wash hands after use. Avoid direct contact with the product. Wear suitable clothing including impermeable rubber gloves. In the event of accidental eye exposure, flush eye thoroughly with running water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. In the event of accidental skin exposure, wash the effected area with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

None known

Do not dose ewes at the 'fluke and worm' dose rate, (7.5 mg/kg), during tupping or for 1 month after removing the rams. Can be safely used during lactation. The use of the product in breeding bulls or pregnant cattle is not expected to interfere with their reproductive performance.

None known

No treatment specified.

Cattle:

Meat & Offal: 14 days

Milk: 60 hours

Meat & Offal: 5 days

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

No special precautions for storage.

Shake container before use. Avoid the introduction of contamination during use. Do not mix with other products.

DANGEROUS to fish and aquatic life. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with the product or used container. Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

1 L, 2.5 L, 5 L and 10 L.

Selenium and cobalt are included in Albex 2.5% SC as nutritional supplements and are not intended to be used therapeutically. Administration of ionophores to lambs has been shown to enhance selenium bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ionophores and Albex 2.5% SC may therefore lead to an increased risk of selenium toxicity.

The use of Albex 2.5% SC in breeding bulls or pregnant cattle is not expected to interfere with their reproductive performance. Cattle suffering from severe lung damage due to heavy lungworm infestation may continue to cough for some weeks after treatment. The product should only be used in areas where deficiencies of selenium and cobalt are likely to occur. In cases of doubt, consult a veterinary surgeon.