SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Drontal Cat XL Film-coated Tablets

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

	Active Substances	mg per tablet
	Pyrantel embonate	345
	Praziquantel	30
	Excipients
	Titanium dioxide E171 (colouring agent)	2.60

For full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film-coated tablet.

White to yellowish, ellipsoid, biconvex tablet, unscored.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Cats.

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

For the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms (see also above): Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia taeniaeformis.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.

Not intended for use in kittens less than 6 weeks of age.

Until sufficient studies have been performed with this combination, do not use during pregnancy.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species

Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm – Dipylidium caninum. Tapeworm infestation is certain to re-occur unless control of intermediate hosts such as fleas, mice etc. is undertaken.

As a precautionary measure to prevent the establishment of E. multilocularis in the UK or Ireland, it is recommended that all cats entering the country be treated with praziquantel.

4.5 Special precautions for use

i. Special precautions for use in animals

None known.

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

In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to a cat, or by adding them to the cat’s food, should wash their hands afterwards.

Any part-used tablets should be discarded.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

None known.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Not to be used during pregnancy (see Section 4.3 above) but may be used during lactation.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Piperazine (see Section 4.3 above)

4.9 Amount(s) to be administered and administration route

Dosage

The recommended dose rates are: 57.5 mg/kg pyrantel embonate and 5 mg/kg praziquantel. This is equivalent to 1 tablet per 6 kg bodyweight.

Administration and Duration of Treatment

Single, oral administration. The tablet(s) should be given directly to the animal, but if necessary can be disguised in food.

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary

No information.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

Not applicable.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Drontal Cat XL Tablet is an anthelmintic active against gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms.

ATC Vet Code: QP52AA51

Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Anthelmintics, Praziquantel combinations.

The product contains two active ingredients:

and

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist. Its mode of action is to stimulate nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the parasite, induce spastic paralysis and thereby allow expulsion from the gastro-intestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.

Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vivoand in vitrostudies have shown that praziquantel causes severe damage to the parasite integument, resulting in contraction and paralysis. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolisation of the syncytial tegument. This rapid contraction has been explained by changes in divalent cation fluxes, especially calcium.

In this fixed combination product the pyrantel is active against the following ascarids: Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina. The praziquantel is effective against tapeworms, in particular Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.

The product has also been shown to be efficacious in the control of hookworms, Ancylostoma tubaeformeand A. brazilienseand the tapeworm Joyeuxiella pasqualei,none of which occur naturally in the UK or Ireland, but may occasionally be found in imported animals. Praziquantel is effective against Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularisdoes not occur in the UK or Ireland but is becoming more common in some European countries.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

No data available.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Titanium dioxide E171

Maize starch

Cellulose microcrystalline

Povidone K25

Magnesium stearate

Silica Colloidal anhydrous

Water purified

Hypromellose

Macrogol 4000

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf-life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for use: 4 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25^oC.

Do not remove tablets from strip packing until required for use.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging

Container material:	Aluminium foil blister or polyethylene-coated aluminium blister
Closure:	Heat seal
Container colour:	Silver or white coloured
Container sizes:	Cartons containing 2, 8, 16, 48 and 96 tablets in strips of 2 or 8 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Bayer plc, Animal Health Division, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 1JA

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

Vm 00010/4135

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

29 January 2004

10. DATE OF LAST REVISION OF THE TEXT

September 2013

Approved:13/09/2013