SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Effitix 402 mg/3600 mg spot-on solution for very large dogs

Efficanix 402 mg/3600 mg spot-on solution for very large dogs (SE)

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each 6.6 ml pipette contains:

Active substances:

Fipronil 402.6 mg

Permethrin 3597.0 mg

Excipients:

Butylhydroxyanisole (E320) 1.32 mg

Butylhydroxytoluene (E321) 0.66 mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Spot-on solution.

Clear yellow solution.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Dogs

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

In dogs, to be used against infestations with fleas and/or ticks when repellent (anti-feeding) activity is also necessary against sand-flies and/or mosquitoes.

Fleas:

Treatment and prevention of infestations by fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Fleas on dogs are killed within 24 hours following treatment. One treatment provides persistent efficacy against new infestations with adult fleas for four weeks. The product can be used as part of a treatment strategy for the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) where this condition has previously been diagnosed by a veterinarian.

Ticks:

Treatment of infestations with Ixodes ricinusticks.

One application provides four weeks persistent acaricidal efficacy against tick infestations (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatusand Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

If ticks of some species (Dermacentor reticulatusand Rhipicephalus sanguineus) are present at the time of application, not all ticks may be killed within 48 hours.

Sand-flies and mosquitoes:

One treatment provides repellent (anti-feeding) activity against sand-flies (Phlebotomus perniciosus) and against mosquitoes (Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti) for four weeks.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.

Do not use on rabbits and catsas adverse reactions and even death can occur(see also section 4.5i).

Do not use on sick (e.g. systemic diseases, fever…) or convalescent animals.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species

The veterinary medicinal product remains effective after exposure to sunlight or if the animal becomes wet after rain.

Avoid frequent swimming or shampooing of treated dogs as this may adversely affect maintenance of product effectiveness.

A dog with fleas may show an allergic reaction to the flea saliva called Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD). If your dog has inflamed skin, is itchy and bites, scratches excessively and is restless and uncomfortable, you should seek the advice of a veterinarian to diagnose if your dog suffers from FAD.

To reduce re-infestation from emergence of new fleas, it is recommended to treat all dogs in a household. Other animals living in the same household should also be treated with a suitable product. Fleas from pets often infest the animal's basket, bedding and regular resting areas such as carpets and soft furnishings which should be treated, in case of massive infestation and at the beginning of the control measures, with a suitable insecticide and vacuumed regularly.

There may be an attachment of single ticks or bites by single sand-flies or mosquitoes. For this reason, the transmission of infectious diseases by these parasites cannot be excluded if conditions are unfavourable.

Studies have shown anti-feeding effect of four weeks for sand-flies and mosquitoes. Therefore, for short‑term travel (less than 4 weeks) to endemic areas it is recommended to apply the treatment immediately before expected exposure. For longer-term exposure (e.g. animals living in endemic areas or travel duration longer than 4 weeks), the treatment schedule should be based on local epidemiological information.

4.5 Special precautions for use

i) Special precautions for use in animals

Animals should be weighed accurately prior to treatment.

The safety of the product has not been established in dogs younger than 12weeks of ageor in dogs weighing less than 1.5 kg.

Care should be taken to avoid the content of the pipette coming into contact with the eyes or mouth of the recipient dogs. In particular oral uptake due to the licking of the application site by treated or in-contact animals should be avoided.

This product is extremely poisonous to cats and could be fatal due to the unique physiology of cats which is unable to metabolise certain compounds including permethrin. In case of accidental dermal 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 after treatment 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 if this occurs.

Do not use on rabbits and cats.

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

The product may cause neurotoxicity. The product may be harmful if swallowed. Avoid ingestionincluding hand-to-mouth contact. In the event of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

This product can cause eye and mucous membrane irritation. Therefore, avoid contact between the product and the mouth or eyesincluding hand-to-mouth and hand-to-eye contacts. In the event ofaccidental contact between the product and eyes, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with water. If eye irritation persists, seek medical advice and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Avoid contact with the skin. Should the product come into contact with skin, wash the contacted area immediately with soap and water.

Wash hands thoroughly after use.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling the veterinary medicinal product.

People with a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to fipronil, permethrin or any of the other ingredients should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product, which, on very rare occasions, can cause respiratory irritation and dermal reactions in certain individuals.

Treated animals should not be handled or played with until the application site is dry and for about 12 hours after treatment. It is therefore recommended to treat the animals in the early evening or late afternoon in order to minimise contact with the treated animal. On the day of treatment, treated animals should not be permitted to sleep with their owner, especially children.

Keep the stored pipettes in the original packaging. In order to prevent children from getting access to used pipettes, dispose of used pipettes immediately in a proper way.

iii) Other precautions

Fipronil and permethrin may adversely affect aquatic organisms. Dogs should not be allowed to swim in water courses for 2 days after application.

The product may have adverse effects on painted, varnished or other household surfaces or furnishings. Allow the application site to dry before permitting contact with such materials.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Transient cutaneous reactions at the application site (pruritus, erythema) and general pruritus have been reported after use. Transient behavioural changes (usually hyperactivity/agitation) and vomiting have occasionally been observed.

If licking occurs, transient hypersalivation may be observed.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Laboratory studies using fipronil and permethrin have not shown any evidence of teratogenic or embryotoxic effect. Studies have not been carried out with this product in pregnant and lactating bitches. Use in pregnancy and lactation only in accordance with professional veterinary advice and a benefit/risk assessment.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

Spot-on use.

Dosage:

The recommended minimum dose is 6.7 mg fipronil /kg b.w.and 60 mg permethrin/kg b.w.

For dogs > 60 kg the appropriate combination of pipettes should be used.

Method of administration:

Remove the pipette from the overblister. Hold the pipette upright. Tap the narrow part of the pipette to ensure that the contents are within the main body of the pipette. Break the snap-off top of the spot-on pipette along the scored line.

Part the pet’s coat until its skin is visible. Place the tip of the pipette directly against the bared skin and squeeze gently several times to empty its contents at two to four different points, depending on body weight, along the pet’s back from the shoulder to the base of the tail.

As a guide, dogs under 20 kg should have the product applied in two spots, whereas those over 20 kg should receive the product in 2-4 spots.

Drop stop system.

Treatment schedule:

The use of the product should be based on a confirmed infestation or risk of infestation, with fleas and/or ticks when repellent (anti-feeding) activity is also necessary against sand-flies and/or mosquitoes.

Depending on the ectoparasite challenge the responsible veterinary surgeon may recommend repeating the treatment. The interval between two treatments should be at least 4 weeks.

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

Safety has been demonstrated with up to 5 times the maximum recommended dose in healthy 12-week old puppies treated 3 times at intervals of 3 weeks.

The risk of experiencing adverse reactions (see section 4.6) may however increase with overdosing, so animals should always be treated with correct pipette size according to bodyweight.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

Not applicable.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ectoparasiticides for topical use

ATCvet code: QP53AC54 (permethrin, combinations)

The product is an ectoparasiticide for topical use containing fipronil and permethrin. This combination acts as an insecticide, acaricide and as a repellent to sand-flies and mosquitoes.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Fipronil is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to the phenylpyrazole family. Fipronil and its metabolite fipronil sulfone act at ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (