Target species
Dogs
Indications for use, specifying the target species
In dogs:
For the treatment and prevention of flea (killing effect) and/or tick (killing and repellent effects) infestations where repellent activity is necessary against mosquitoes, sandflies and/or biting flies.
Fleas
Treatment and prevention of Ctenocephalides felis flea infestations and prevention of Ctenocephalides canis flea infestations. One treatment prevents new flea infestations for 4 weeks.
The product can be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis where this has been previously diagnosed by a veterinarian.
Ticks
Treatment and prevention of tick infestations (Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus). One treatment kills (Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and repels (Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus) ticks for 4 weeks after treatment, and repels Dermacentor reticulatus from 7 days up to 4 weeks after treatment.
Mosquitoes and sandflies
Repels (anti-feeding activity) sandflies (Phlebotomus perniciosus) for 3 weeks and mosquitoes (Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus) for 4 weeks.
Kills sandflies (Phlebotomus perniciosus) and mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) for 3 weeks.
Biting flies (Stable flies)
Repels (anti-feeding activity) and kills stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) for 5 weeks.
Contraindications
Do not use on sick or convalescent animals.
This product is for use on dogs only. Do not use in cats and rabbits, as adverse reactions and even death could occur (see also section 4.5).
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients. (see also section 4.5).
Special warnings for each target species
There may be an attachment of single ticks or bites by single mosquitoes or sandflies. For this reason, transmission of pathogens by these arthropods cannot be completely excluded if conditions are unfavorable. Single ticks may attach and detach within the first 24 hours after infestation and if ticks are present when the product is applied not all ticks may be killed within 48 hours after treatment.
The product remains effective against fleas when treated animals are immersed in water occasionally (e.g., swimming, bathing). However, dogs should not be allowed to swim or be shampooed within 48 hours after treatment. Avoid frequent swimming or shampooing of treated dogs as this may adversely affect maintenance of product effectiveness.
To reduce re-infestation from emergence of new fleas, it is recommended that all dogs in a household be treated. Other animals living in the same household should also be treated with a suitable product. To aid further in reducing environmental challenge, the additional use of a suitable environmental treatment against adult fleas and their developmental stages could be recommended.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
In the absence of specific studies, the use of the product is not recommended in dogs younger than 8 weeks of age, or in dogs weighing less than 2 kg.
Care should be taken to avoid contact of the veterinary medicinal product with the dog’s eyes.
It is important to make sure that the product is applied to an area where the animal cannot lick it off and to make sure that other animals do not lick the treatment sites following application.
Animals should be weighed accurately prior to treatment.
Seek veterinary advice if the product is accidentally ingested or comes into contact with your dog’s eyes.
Due to the unique physiology of cats which prevents them from metabolizing certain compounds, including permethrin, the product can induce potentially fatal convulsions in this species. In case of accidental dermal (skin) exposure, wash the cat with shampoo or soap, and seek veterinary advice rapidly. To prevent cats from being accidentally exposed to the product, keep treated dogs away from cats until the application site is dry. It is important to ensure that cats do not groom the site of application on a dog which has been treated with this product. In case of exposure of this type seek veterinary advice immediately.
Do not use in cats and rabbits.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
This product can cause skin and eye irritation, therefore, avoid contact of the product with skin and eyes. Do not open the pipette near or towards the face. In case of ocular (eye) exposure or if eyes become irritated during administration, immediately flush the eyes with plenty of water. If ocular (eye) irritation persists, seek medical attention. In case of dermal (skin) exposure or if skin becomes irritated during administration, immediately wash the skin with plenty of soap and water. If skin irritation persists or recurs, seek medical attention.
People with known hypersensitivity to fipronil and/or permethrin should avoid contact with the product.
The product is harmful if swallowed. Avoid hand-to-mouth contact. Do not smoke, drink or eat during application. Wash hands after use. If swallowed rinse mouth and seek medical attention if you feel unwell.
Since the excipient N-methylpyrrolidone may induce foetotoxicity (toxicity to the foetus) and teratogenicity (embryonic or foetal malformation) after significant exposure, pregnant women should wear gloves to avoid contact with the product.
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.
Keep the stored pipettes in the original blister and once used, the empty pipette should immediately be disposed of appropriately, preventing further access.
Other precaution
The product may adversely affect aquatic organisms. Treated dogs should not be allowed to enter surface water for 2 days after treatment.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Transient skin reactions at the application site (skin discolouration, local hair loss, itching, redness) and general itching, hair loss and erythema (redness) have been reported very rarely after use. Reversible nervous signs (increased sensitivity to stimulation, hyperactivity, muscle tremor, lethargy, ataxia (loss of coordination), other nervous signs), vomiting, anorexia (not eating) and hypersalivation have also been reported very rarely after use.
If licking of the application site occurs, transient hypersalivation and emesis (vomiting) may be observed.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s)) during the course of one treatment)
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Laboratory studies using fipronil or permethrin have not produced any evidence of teratogenic (capable of causing embryonic or foetal malformation) or embryotoxic (capable of causing toxicity to the embryo) effects. The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. N-methylpyrrolidone, an excipient in the veterinary medicinal product, has been shown to be teratogenic (capable of causing embryonic or foetal malformation) in laboratory animals after repeated exposure at high doses.
Consult your veterinary surgeon before using the product in pregnant or lactating bitches.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Do not use simultaneously with other products active against fleas, ticks or flies which are applied directly on to the animal.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
For external use.
The recommended minimum dose is 6.76 mg fipronil/kg bodyweight, and 50.48 mg/kg permethrin equivalent to 0.1 ml spot-on solution per kg bodyweight.
The use of the product should be based on a confirmed infestation or risk of infestation with fleas and/or ticks when repellent activity is also necessary against mosquitoes, sandflies and/or biting flies. Depending on the ectoparasite challenge repetition of the treatment might be indicated. In such instances, the interval between two treatments should be at least 4 weeks.
Method of administration:
Spot-on use.
Select the appropriate pipette size for the weight of the dog. For dogs over 60 kg, use the appropriate combination of two pipette sizes that most closely matches the bodyweight.
The product should be applied in two out-of-reach spots so that the dog cannot lick the application site. These sites are at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades and the middle of the neck between the base of the skull and the shoulder blades.
Remove the blister card from the package and separate one blister. Remove the pipette by cutting along the dotted line with a pair of scissors or tearing open after folding the marked corner. Holding the pipette upright away from face and body, cut the pipette tip with scissors to open. Part the coat on the back of the dog until the skin is visible. Place the tip of the pipette on the skin. Squeeze the pipette, applying about half of the contents half way down the neck between the base of the skull and the shoulder blades. Repeat the application at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades to empty the pipette. For best results, ensure that the product is applied directly to the skin rather than on the hair.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Safety has been assessed with up to 5 times the maximum dose in healthy adult dogs (treated up to 3 times at monthly intervals) and in puppies (aged 8 weeks treated once). Known side-effects may consist of mild neurological signs, emesis (vomiting) and diarrhea. These are transitory and generally resolve without treatment within 1-2 days.
The risk of experiencing adverse reactions (see section 4.6) may increase with overdosing, so animals should always be treated with the correct pipette size according to bodyweight.