Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintics, quinoline derivatives and related substances, praziquantel, combinations.
ATCvet code: QP52AA51
Symptoms of overdoses do not occur less than 5 times the recommended dose. The first expected sign of intoxication is vomiting.
The product is a roundworm and tapeworm anthelmintic containing as active constituents the pyrazinoisoquinolinone derivative praziquantel and the tetrahydropyrimidine derivative pyrantel (as embonate salt).
In this fixed combination praziquantel serves as a tapeworm agent whose action spectrum covers cestode species in cats, in particular Hydatigera (Taenia) taeniaeformis, Joyeuxiella pasqualei., Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. Praziquantel acts against all stages of these parasites occurring in the cat intestine.
Pyrantel is the roundworm-specific component and has a good activity against nematodes occurring in cats, in particular Toxocara cati (syn. mystax), and Ancylostoma tubaeformae and Ancylostoma braziliense. Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist similarly to nicotine, and causes spastic paralysis of the nematodes by a depolarising neuromuscular blockade.
Praziquantel is absorbed very rapidly through the parasite's surface and is distributed evenly inside the parasite. Both in vitro and in vivo severe damage to the parasite integument sets in very quickly, resulting in contraction and paralysis of the parasites. The basis for the rapid onset of action is above all the praziquantel-induced change in the permeability of the parasite membrane to Ca++, which leads to a dysregulation of the parasite.
Praziquantel is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Maximum serum levels are achieved within 2 hours. Praziquantel is widely distributed and is rapidly metabolised in the liver. In addition to other metabolites, the main metabolite occurring in each case is the 4-hydroxycyclohexyl derivative of praziquantel. Praziquantel is completely eliminated within 48 hours in the form of its metabolites - between 40 and 71 % in the urine and, in bile, between 13 and 30 % in the faeces.
The embonate salt of pyrantel is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.