Target species
Dogs (≤ 4 kg)
Indications for use, specifying the target species
For dogs suffering from, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infections
•For the treatment and prevention of flea infestation (Ctenocephalides felis),
•the treatment of biting lice (Trichodectes canis),
•the treatment of ear mite infestation (Otodectes cynotis), sarcoptic mange (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis), ,
•the prevention of heartworm disease (L3 and L4 larvae of Dirofilaria immitis),
•the treatment of circulating microfilariae (Dirofilaria immitis),
•the treatment of cutaneous dirofilariosis (adult stages of Dirofilaria repens)
•the prevention of cutaneous dirofilariosis (L3 larvae of Dirofilaria repens),
•the reduction of circulating microfilariae (Dirofilaria repens),
•the prevention of angiostrongylosis (L4 larvae and immature adults of Angiostrongylus vasorum),
•the treatment of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis,
•the prevention of spirocercosis (Spirocerca lupi),
•the treatment of infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (L4 larvae, immature adults and adults of Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala, adults of Toxascaris leonina and Trichuris vulpis).
The veterinary medicinal product can be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
Contraindications
Do not use in puppies under 7 weeks of age.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.
Do not use in dogs classified as Class 4 for heartworm disease as the safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been evaluated in this animal group.
For cats, the corresponding “Moxiclear for cats” veterinary medicinal product, which contains 100 mg/ml imidacloprid and 10 mg/ml moxidectin, must be used.
For ferrets: Do not use Moxiclear for dogs. Only veterinary medicinal product for small cats and ferrets (0.4 ml)
Do not use on canaries.
Special warnings for each target species
Brief contact of the animal with water on one or two occasions between monthly treatments is unlikely to significantly reduce the efficacy of the veterinary medicinal product. However, frequent shampooing or immersion of the animal in water after treatment may reduce the efficacy of the veterinary medicinal product.
Parasite resistance to any particular class of anthelmintic may develop following frequent, repeated use of an anthelmintic of that class. Therefore, the use of this veterinary medicinal product should be based on the assessment of each individual case and on local epidemiological information about the current susceptibility of the target species in order to limit the possibility of a future selection for resistance.
The use of the veterinary medicinal product should be based on the confirmed diagnosis of mixed infection (or risk of infection, where prevention applies) at the same time.
(see also sections, "Indications for use, specifying the target species" and "Amounts to be administered and administration route").
The veterinary medicinal product has not been shown to have an adulticidal effect against D. repens.
Efficacy against adult Dirofilaria repens has not been tested under field conditions.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in the target species
The treatment of animals dogs less than 1 kg should be based on a risk-benefit assessment.
There is limited experience on the use of the veterinary medicinal product in sick and debilitated animals, thus the veterinary medicinal product should only be used based on a risk-benefit assessment for these animals.
Care should be taken that the contents of the pipette or the applied dose does not come into contact with the eyes or mouth of the recipient and/or other animals. Do not allow recently treated animals to groom each other. When the veterinary medicinal product is applied in 3 to 4 separate spots (see section, "Amounts to be administered and administration route"), specific care should be taken to prevent the animal licking the application sites.
This veterinary medicinal product contains moxidectin (a macrocyclic lactone), therefore special care should be taken with Collies, Old English Sheepdogs and related breeds or crossbreeds, to correctly administer the product as described under section, "Amounts to be administered and administration route"; in particular, oral uptake by the recipient and/or other animals in close contact should be prevented.
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has only been evaluated in dogs classified as either Class 1 or 2 for heartworm disease in laboratory studies and in a few Class 3 dogs in a field study. Therefore the use in dogs with obvious or severe symptoms of the disease should be based on a careful benefit risk assessment by the treating veterinarian.
Although experimental overdosage studies have shown that the veterinary medicinal product may be safely administered to dogs infected with adult heartworms, it has no therapeutic effect against adult Dirofilaria immitis. It is therefore recommended that all dogs 6 months of age or more, living in areas endemic for heartworm, should be tested for existing adult heartworm infection before being treated with the product. At the discretion of the veterinarian, infected dogs should be treated with an adulticide to remove adult heartworms. The safety of the product has not been evaluated when administered on the same day as an adulticide.
Imidacloprid is toxic for birds, especially canaries.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or mouth. Do not eat, drink or smoke during application. Wash hands thoroughly after use. In case of accidental spillage onto skin, wash off immediately with soap and water.
If the veterinary medicinal product accidentally gets into eyes, they should be thoroughly flushed with water.
If skin or eye symptoms persist, or the veterinary medicinal product is accidentally swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the physician.
Do not ingest. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. People with a known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol, imidacloprid or moxidectin should administer the veterinary medicinal product with caution.
In very rare cases the veterinary medicinal product may cause skin sensitisation or transient skin reactions (for example numbness, irritation or burning/tingling sensation). In very rare cases the veterinary medicinal product may cause respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
In order to prevent children from getting access to pipettes, keep the pipette in the original packaging until ready for use and dispose of used pipettes immediately.
After application do not stroke or groom animals until the application site is dry.
Treated animals should not be handled until the application site is dry, and children should not be allowed to play with treated animals until the application site is dry. It is therefore recommended that animals are not treated during the day, but should be treated during the early evening, and that recently treated animals are not allowed to sleep with owners, especially children.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
The veterinary medicinal product should not enter water courses as it has harmful effects on aquatic organisms: moxidectin is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Dogs should not be allowed to swim in surface waters for 4 days after treatment.
Other precautions:
The solvent in the veterinary medicinal product may stain or damage certain materials including leather, fabrics, plastics and finished surfaces. Allow the application site to dry before permitting contact with such materials.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Target species: Dogs.
Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated): | Cough1 , Tachypnoea1 , Dyspnoea1 , Vomiting1 , Diarrhoea1 , Inappetence1 , Lethargy1 |
Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals treated): | Vomiting2 Hypersensitivity |
Very rare (<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): | Application site greasy fur2 , Application site hair loss2 , Application site itching2 , Application site reddening2 , Pruritus3 , Neurological signs (e.g. ataxia, muscle tremor)4 , Hypersalivation5 , Behavioural disorders (e.g. agitation)6 , Lethargy6 , Inappetence6 |
1 These signs are common in heartworm positive dogs with microfilaraemia, and there is a risk of gastrointestinal signs and severe respiratory signs that may require prompt veterinary treatment.
2 Disappears without further treatment.
3 Transient.
4 If the animal licks the application site after treatment. Mostly transient.
5 If the animal licks the application site immediately after treatment. Not a sign of intoxication; disappears within minutes.
6 Caused by a sensation at the application site. Correct application will minimise licking of the application sites.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Laboratory studies with either imidacloprid or moxidectin in rats and rabbits have not produced any evidence of teratogenic, foetotoxic or maternotoxic effects.
Use only accordingly to the benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
During treatment with the product no other antiparasitic macrocyclic lactone should be administered. No interactions between the product and routinely used veterinary medicinal products or medical or surgical procedures have been observed.
Safety of the product when administered on the same day as an adulticide to remove adult heartworms has not been evaluated.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Spot-on use.
Dosage schedule:
The recommended minimum doses are 10 mg/kg bodyweight imidacloprid and 2.5 mg/kg bodyweight moxidectin, equivalent to 0.1 ml/kg bodyweight the product for dogs.
To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
The treatment schedule should be based on individual veterinary diagnosis and on the local epidemiological situation.
Weight of dog | Pipette size to be used | Volume | Imidacloprid [mg/kg bw] | Moxidectin [mg/kg bw] |
≤ 4 kg | Moxiclear for small dogs | 0.4 ml | minimum of 10 | minimum of 2.5 |
> 4 ≤ 10 kg | Moxiclear for medium dogs | 1.0 ml | 10–25 | 2.5–6.25 |
> 10 ≤ 25 kg | Moxiclear for large dogs | 2.5 ml | 10–25 | 2.5–6.25 |
> 25 ≤ 40 kg | Moxiclear for very-large dogs | 4.0 ml | 10–16 | 2.5–4 |
> 40 kg | the appropriate combination of pipettes |
Flea treatment and prevention (Ctenocephalides felis)
One treatment prevents future flea infestation for 4 weeks. Existing pupae in the environment may emerge for 6 weeks or longer after treatment is initiated, depending upon climatic conditions. Therefore, it may be necessary to combine the product treatment with environmental treatments aimed at breaking the flea life cycle in the surroundings. This can result in a more rapid reduction in the household flea population. The product should be administered at monthly intervals when used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis.
Treatment of biting lice (Trichodectes canis)
A single dose should be administered. A further veterinary examination 30 days after treatment is recommended as some animals may require a second treatment.
Treatment of ear mite infestation (Otodectes cynotis)
A single dose of the product should be administered. Loose debris should be gently removed from the external ear canal at each treatment. A further veterinary examination 30 days after treatment is recommended as some animals may require a second treatment. Do not apply directly to the ear canal.
Treatment of sarcoptic mange (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis)
A single dose should be administered twice 4 weeks apart.
Prevention of heartworm disease (D. immitis) and cutaneous dirofilariosis (D. repens)
Dogs in areas endemic for heartworm, or those which have travelled to endemic areas, may be infected with adult heartworms. Therefore prior to treatment with the product, the advice provided in section, "Special precautions for use" should be considered.
For prevention of heartworm disease and cutaneous dirofilariosis, the product must be applied at regular monthly intervals during the time of the year when mosquitoes (the intermediate hosts which carry and transmit D. immitis and D. repens larvae) are present. The product may be administered throughout the year or at least 1 month before the first expected exposure to mosquitoes. Treatment should continue at regular monthly intervals until 1 month after the last exposure to mosquitoes. To establish a treatment routine, it is recommended that the same day or date be used each month. When replacing another heartworm preventative product in a heartworm prevention programme, the first treatment with the product must be given within 1 month of the last dose of the former medication.
In non-endemic areas there should be no risk of dogs having heartworm. Therefore they can be treated without special precautions.
Treatment of microfilariae (D. immitis)
The product should be administered monthly for two consecutive months.
Treatment of cutaneous dirofilariosis (skin worm) (adult stages of Dirofilaria repens)
The product should be administered monthly for six consecutive months.
Reduction of microfilariae (D. repens)
The veterinary medicinal product should be administered monthly for four consecutive months. Efficacy against adult worms has not been shown. Adult worms may continue to produce microfilariae.
Treatment and prevention of Angiostrongylus vasorum
A single dose should be administered. A further veterinary examination 30 days after treatment is recommended as some animals may require a second treatment.
In endemic areas regular 4 weekly application will prevent angiostrongylosis and patent infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum.
Treatment of Crenosoma vulpis
A single dose should be administered.
Prevention of Spirocerca lupi:
The product should be administered monthly.
Roundworm, hookworm and whipworm treatment (Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina and Trichuris vulpis).
In areas endemic for heartworm, monthly treatment may significantly reduce the risk of re-infection caused by the respective round-, hook- and whipworms. In areas non-endemic for heartworm, the product can be used as part of a seasonal prevention programme against fleas and gastrointestinal nematodes.
Studies have shown that monthly treatment of dogs will prevent infections caused by Uncinaria stenocephala.
Method of administration
For external use only. Do not remove the pipette from the sachet until ready to use.
Remove the pipette from the outer sachet using scissors or fold along diagonal line to expose nick; tear back at nick.
Hold the pipette upright. Tap the narrow part of the pipette to ensure the contents remain within the main body of the pipette. Twist or snap back the tip.
For dogs up to 25 kg:
With the dog in a standing position, part the coat between the shoulder blades until the skin is visible. Wherever possible apply to undamaged skin. Place the tip of the pipette on the skin and squeeze the pipette firmly several times to empty its contents directly onto the skin.
For dogs of more than 25 kg:
For easy application the dog should be standing. The entire contents of the pipette should be applied evenly as 3 or 4 spots along the top of the back, from between the shoulders to the base of the tail. At each spot, part the coat until the skin is visible. Wherever possible apply to undamaged skin. Place the tip of the pipette on the skin and gently squeeze the pipette to expel a portion of its contents directly onto the skin. Do not apply an excessive amount of solution at any one spot, as that could cause some of the product to run down the animal’s side.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Up to 10 times the recommended dose was tolerated in adult dogs with no evidence of adverse effects or undesirable clinical signs. Five times the recommended minimum dose applied at weekly intervals for 17 weeks was investigated in dogs aged over 6 months and tolerated with no evidence of adverse effects or undesirable clinical signs.
The product was administered to puppies at up to 5 times the recommended dose, every 2 weeks for 6 treatments, and there were no serious safety concerns. Transient mydriasis, salivation, vomiting and transient rapid respiration were observed.
After accidental oral ingestion or overdose, neurological signs (most of which are transient) such as ataxia, generalised tremors, ocular signs (dilated pupils, little pupillary reflex, nystagmus), abnormal respiration, salivation and vomiting may occur in very rare cases.
Ivermectin-sensitive Collie dogs tolerated up to 5 times the recommended dose repeated at monthly intervals without any adverse effects, but the safety of application at weekly intervals has not been investigated in ivermectin-sensitive Collie dogs. When 40 % of the unit dose was given orally, severe neurological signs were observed. Oral administration of 10 % of the recommended dose produced no adverse effects.
Dogs infected with adult heartworms tolerated up to 5 times the recommended dose, every 2 weeks for 3 treatments, without any adverse effects.
In case of accidental oral uptake, symptomatic treatment should be administered. There is no known specific antidote. The use of activated charcoal may be beneficial.
Withdrawal period(s)
Not applicable.