SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

ALBEX 2.5% w/vSC Oral Suspension

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Active substance:

Albendazole 2.5% w/v

Excipients:

Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate 0.2% w/v

Propyl Parahydroxybenzoate 0.02% w/v

Copper chlorophyll complex sodium E141 0.23% w/v

Other Relevant Constituents:

Sodium selenite 0.059% w/v

(equivalent to 0.027% Selenium)

Cobalt sulfate 0.298% w/v

(equivalent to 0.063% Cobalt)

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral Suspension.

A pale green, free-flowing.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Cattle, Sheep.

4.2 Indications for use,specifying the target species

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs.

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: Dictyocaulusviviparus,

Tapeworms: Moniezia spp.,

Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

In sheepit 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: Monieziaspp.,

Adult liver fluke: Fasciola hepatica.

The product is ovicidal and will kill fluke and roundworm eggs, thus reducing pasture contamination. The product also contains selenium and cobalt as nutritional supplements.

4.3 Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.

4.4 Special warnings <for each target species>

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 Cooperiaand Teladorsagiaspecies 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.

4.5 Special precautions for use

i. Special precautions for use in animals

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.

ii. Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

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 andwater. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

None known

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

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.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

For oral administration.

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

Cattle:

Worm dose: For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Fluke and worm dose: For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in cattle.

Dosage: 10 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Sheep:

Worm dose: For the control of roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and fluke and roundworm eggs.

Dosage: 5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Fluke and Worm Dose: For the additional treatment of adult liver fluke (chronic fascioliasis) in sheep.

Dosage: 7.5 mg albendazole per kg b.w.

Do not mix with other products.

No treatment specified.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

Cattle:

Meat & Offal: 14 days

Milk: 60 hours

Sheep:

Meat & Offal: 5 days

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

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group: A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic

ATC vet code: QP52AC11

A broad spectrum multi-purpose anthelmintic for the control of mature and developing immature forms of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, tapeworms and adult liver fluke in cattle and sheep. The product is also ovicidal against fluke and roundworm eggs.

Benzimidazoles bind to nematode tubulin, a protein necessary for the formation and viability of microtubules. This occurs primarily in absorptive intestinal cells resulting in the absence of microtubules in the intestinal cells of the nematode, with the result that these cells cannot absorb nutrients, thus causing a consequent reduction in glycogen and effective starvation of the parasites. Structural differences have been shown to exist between tubulin from mammalian and helminth sources, resulting in the preferential toxicity of albendazole to the helminth and not to the host. Benzimidazoles have also been shown to inhibit the fumarate reductase system of helminths and impair energy production.

The selenium and cobalt in this product are trace elements of use as nutritional supplements.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Copper Chlorophyll Complex Sodium E141

Methyl parahydroxybenzoate

Propyl parahydroxybenzoate

Sodium selenite

Cobalt sulfate

Citric Acid Monohydrate (for pH adjustment)

Sodium Phosphate Dodecahydrate (for pH adjustment)

Xanthan Gum

Povidone 90

Polysorbate 20

Simethicone Emulsion

Propylene Glycol

Water Purified

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years

6.4. Special precautions for storage

No special precautions for storage.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging

High density polyethylene jerricans with high density polyethylene screw-fit, tamper evident closures and expanded polyethylene liners containing 1 L, 2.5 L, 5 L or 10 L of product.

High density polyethylene flexipack containers with polypropylene screw-fit closures, and aluminium foil sealed polyfaced steran liners containing 1 L, 2.5 L or 5 L of product.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such 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.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Chanelle Animal Health Ltd

7 Rodney Street

Liverpool

L1 9HZ

UK

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

Vm11990/4015

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date: 29 March 1996

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Date:September 2010