SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. Name of the veterinary medicinal product

Paramectin 1.0% w/v Solution for Injection for Cattle

2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Active Substance:

Ivermectin 1.0% w/v

Excipients:

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1

3. Pharmaceutical form

Solution for injection

Colourless to pale yellow, clear liquid.

4. Clinical Particulars

4.1 Target species

Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

Paramectin Injection is indicated for the treatment and control of the following species of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, eyeworms, warbles, mites and sucking lice in beef cattle and non-lactating dairy cattle.

Gastrointestinal roundworms (adults and fourth stage larvae):

Ostertagia ostertagi (including inhibited O ostertagi), Ostertagia lyrata, Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia pectinata, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Strongyloides papillosus (adult), Nematodirus helvetianus (adult), Nematodirus spathiger (adult), and Trichuris spp (adults)

Lungworms (adult and fourth stage larvae):

Dictyocaulus viviparus

Eyeworms (adult):

Thelazia spp

Warbles (parasitic stages):

Hypoderma bovis, Hypoderma lineatum

Sucking Lice:

Linognathus vituli, Haematopinus eurysternus, Solenopotes capillatus

Mange Mites:

Psoroptes bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei var bovis

Paramectin Injection may also be used as an aid in the control of the biting louse Damalinia bovis and the mange mite Chorioptes bovis, but complete elimination may not occur.

When cattle have to graze on pasture contaminated with infective larvae of cattle nematodes, treatment with Paramectin Injection at the recommended dose rate controls re-infection with Haemonchus placei, Cooperia spp. and Trichostrongylus axei acquired up to 14 days after treatment, Ostertagia ostertagi and Oesophagostomum radiatum acquired up to 21 days after treatment and Dictyocaulus viviparus acquired up to 28 days after treatment.

4.3 Contraindications

Paramectin Injection is not for intravenous or intramuscular use.

Paramectin Injection is a low volume product registered for use in cattle. It should not be used in other species as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may occur.

4.4 Special Warnings for each target species

None

4.5 Special precautions for use

i. Special precautions for use in animals

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 another pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.

Resistance to ivermectin (an avermectin) has been reported in Teladorsagia in sheep and goats within the EU and it is common in Haemonchus in sheep outside the EU. It has been reported in Cooperia oncophora in cattle within the EU, in Teladorsagia in cattle in developed countries such as New Zealand and Haemonchus in cattle outside the EU. 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.

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

Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst handling the product.

Take care to avoid self-injection: the product may cause local irritation and/or pain at the site of injection. In case of accidental self-injection seek medical advice. Direct contact of the product with the skin should be kept to a minimum.

Wash hands after use.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Transitory discomfort has been observed in some cattle following subcutaneous administration. Tissue swellings at the injection site have been observed. These reactions resolve without treatment.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Paramectin Injection can be administered to beef cows at any stage of pregnancy or lactation provided that the milk is not intended for human consumption.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None identified.

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

Ivermectin should be administered at a dosage rate of 200 mg per kg bodyweight (1ml to 50 kg bodyweight). It should only be injected subcutaneously in front of or behind the shoulder using aseptic technique. A sterile 17-gauge, half-inch needle is recommended.

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

This product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative. Swab septum before removing each dose. Use a dry sterile needle and syringe. For 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre pack sizes, use of a multiple dose syringe is recommended. To refill the syringe, use of a draw-off needle is recommended to avoid excessive broaching of the stopper. Avoid the introduction of contamination.

Single doses of 4.0mg/kg ivermectin (20 times the recommended dosage) administered subcutaneously, result in ataxia and depression. No antidote has been identified. Symptomatic treatment may be beneficial.

Cattle (Meat): 49 days

(Milk): Do not use in cattle producing milk for human consumption. Do not use in non-lactating dairy cows, including pregnant heifers within 60 days of calving.

5. pharmacological properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintic

ATC Vet Code: QP54AA01

Ivermectin, a member of the macrocyclic lactone class of endectocides, is a 22,23-dihydro derivative of an avermectin (which is a fermentation product produced by Streptomyces avermitilis) and consists of 2 homologues: B1a and B1b. It is a parasiticide with nematocidal, insecticidal and acaricidal activity documented in a wide range of domesticated animals.

Avermectins act to stimulate GABA mediated chloride ion conductance, causing irreversible neuromuscular blockade in nematodes, followed by paralysis and death. The margin of safety is attributable to lack of glutamate-gated chloride channels in mammals and low affinity of the macrocyclic lactone for other mammalian ligand-gated chloride channels.

6. Pharmaceutical particulars

6.1 List of excipients

Glycerol formal

Macrogol 200

None known.

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years.

Shelf life after opening the immediate packaging: 28 days.

Do not store above 30°C.

Protect from light.

Following withdrawal of the first dose use the product within 28 days. Discard unused material. Avoid introduction of contamination.

This product does not contain an antimicrobial preservative.

Carton containing one 50ml, 100ml, 250ml, 500ml or 1 litre natural high density polyethylene vials with bromobutyl bung with aluminium cap.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

EXTREMELY 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

Norbrook Laboratories Limited

Station Works

Newry

Co. Down, BT35 6JP

Northern Ireland

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

Vm 02000/4196

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of First Authorisation: 31^st October 2001

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

January 2010