SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Piperazine Citrate Worm Tablets

Active Ingredient: Piperazine Citrate, 500mg/tablet

Tablet.

Summary Presentation of the Active Ingredient

Piperazine Citrate is an anthelmintic of low toxicity with a high efficiency against ascarids and some other nematodes.

Pharmacodynamic Properties

Piperazine acts to block neuromuscular transmission in the parasite by hyperpolarizing the nerve membrane, which leads to flaccid paralysis. It also blocks succinate production by the worm. The parasites, paralysed and depleted of energy, are expelled by peristalsis. It is active against the ascarids Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati/ roundworm, Toxascaris leonine and hookworms.

Pharmacokinetic Properties

Piperazine is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract, and piperazine base can be detected in the urine as early as 30 minutes after administration. The excretion rate is maximal at 1 – 8hr, and excretion is practically complete within 24hrs.

ATC Vet Code QP52AH01

Cat, Dog.

Piperazine Citrate is indicated for the treatment and control of intestinal infections/ infestations of dogs and cats, and may be used from 2 weeks of age.

Whilst piperazine salts have few side effects and are of low toxicity, care should be taken, especially with kittens and puppies, to ensure that the correct dosage is calculated by weighing the animal prior to administration of the drug. Animals weighing less than 1.25kg should be treated with a suitable anthelmintic licensed for this purpose.

Do not repeat treatment if vomiting occurs shortly after dosing.

Do not administer more than 6 tablets in a single dose. If no vomiting occurs the remaining dose may be given after 3 hours.

Transient neurological effects and urticarial reactions have occasionally been noted.

Care should be exercised when giving piperazine to patients with a history of epilepsy and severe renal dysfunction.

Consult a veterinary surgeon before treating pregnant animals.

None known

Puppies and Kittens

200mg/kg as a single dose (1 tablet per 2.5kg bodyweight).

1^stdose: 2 weeks of age

2^nddose: 2 weeks later

Subsequent doses: every 2 weeks of age until 3 months of age and then at 3 monthly intervals.

Nursing Bitches and Queens

They should be treated at 2 weeks after giving birth and every 2 weeks until weaning. It is advisable to treat bitches and queens at the same time as the puppies or kittens.

Older dogs and cats

200mg/kg as a single dose (1 tablet per 2.5kg body weight) at 9 months of age. Repeat treatment at 3 monthly intervals.

Do notrepeat the treatment if vomiting occurs shortly after dosing.

Do not administer more than 6 tablets in a single dose. If no vomiting occurs the remaining dose may be given after 3 hours.

Acute overdose

Piperazine has a wide safety margin, and acute overdose is unlikely. Where it does occur however, there may be symptoms of neurotoxicity. There is no known specific antidote.

Chronic overdose

Piperazine Citrate tablets are a single dose treatment. Chronic overdose is therefore not an issue.

None

Not applicable.

Wash hands immediately after administering the tablets.

None known

3 years

Protect from light. DO NOT STORE ABOVE 25ºC. Store in a dry place.

White cylindrical polypropylene containers (securitainer) with white tamper evident snap top polyethylene closure, containing 500 tablets, 75mm diameter x 130mm high.

None.

Name and registered place of business of the holder of the marketing authorisation:

Ayrton Saunders Ltd

9 Arkwright Road

Astmoor Industrial Estate

Runcorn

Cheshire

WA7 1NU

Marketing authorisation number:

Vm16431/4003

Date of SPC:

February 2010

Date of issue of last renewal:

14 October 2009