4.5

Special precautions for use

i.

Special precautions for use in animals

As with other antibiotics which are excreted mainly by the kidneys, unnecessary accumulation may occur in the body when renal function is impaired. In case of known renal insufficiency, the dose should be reduced and antimicrobials known to be nephrotoxic should not be administered concurrently.

This product should not be used to treat puppies of less than 1 kg of bodyweight.

Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to the cefalexin and may decrease the effectiveness of treatment with other cephalosporins and penicillins, due to the potential for cross-resistance.

Use of the product should be based on susceptibility testing of the bacteria isolated from the animal. If this is not possible, therapy should be based on local epidemiological information.

Official, national and regional antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used.

As the tablets are palatable for animals there is a danger of excessive ingestion. The tablets must therefore be stored out of the reach of animals.

ii.

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

Penicillins and cephalosporins may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following injection, inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Hypersensitivity to penicillin may lead to cross sensitivity to cephalosporin and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances may occasionally be serious.

1- Do not handle this product if you know you are sensitised or if you have been advised not to work with such preparations.

2- Handle this product with great care to avoid exposure, taking all recommended precautions. Wash hands after use.

3- If you develop symptoms following exposure such as skin rash, you should seek medical advice and show the doctor this warning. Swelling of the face, lips or eyes or difficulty with breathing are more-serious symptoms and require urgent medical attention.

4.6

Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Hypersensitivity to Cefalexin is rare, however, the product should not be administered to animals which are known to be hypersensitive to Cefalexin or penicillins. Refer also to section 4.3.

Allergic cross-reactivity with other β-lactams may occur.

Very rare cases of soft faeces and vomiting may be observed in animals during treatment.

4.7

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The product can be used in pregnant and lactating animals

4.8

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The association of first-generation cephalosporins with aminoglycoside antibiotics and some diuretics such as furosemide can enhance nephrotoxicity risks.

The bactericidal activity of cephalosporins is reduced by concomitant administration of bacteriostatic acting compounds (tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, macrolides and rifampicin).

4.9

Amounts to be administered and administration route

15 mg of cephalexin per kg of bodyweight twice daily (equivalent to 30 mg per kg of bodyweight per day) for a duration of:

- 14 days in case of urinary-tract infection in dogs;

- at least 15 days in case of superficial infectious dermatitis in dogs;

- at least 28 days in case of deep infectious dermatitis in dogs.

To achieve this dosage, administer:

in dogs:

To ensure correct dosage, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible to avoid underdosing.

Due to its palatable formulation, the product is well accepted by dogs but may be crushed or added to food if necessary.

In severe or acute conditions, the dose may be safely doubled.

4.10

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

Trials performed on animals with up to 5 times the recommended dosage demonstrated that the product is well tolerated.

4.11

Withdrawal periods

Not applicable.

5.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group:

Antibacterials for systemic use, first-generation cephalosporins.

ATC Vet Code:

QJ01DB01

5.1

Pharmacodynamic properties

Cefalexin acts by inhibiting the nucleopeptide synthesis of the bacterial wall. Cephalosporins interfere with the enzymes of transpepditation making it unable to cross-link the peptidoglycans of the bacterial cell wall. The glycan cross-linking is essential for the cell to build its cell wall. Inhibition of the biosynthesis results to a weakened cell wall, which eventually ruptures to osmotic pressure. The combined action results in cell lysis and filament formation.

Cefalexin is active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria: Staphylococcus spp. (including penicillin-resistant strains), Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Salmonella spp.. Cefalexin is not inactivated by β-lactamases produced by gram-positive bacteria and which usually affect penicillins

5.2

Pharmacokinetic properties

After single oral administration of the recommended dosage of 15 mg of cefalexin per kg of bodyweight to Beagle dogs, plasma concentrations were observed within 30 minutes. The plasma peak was observed at 1.3 hour with a plasma concentration of 18.2 µg/ml.

The bioavailability of the active was over 90 %. Cefalexin was detected until 24 hours after the administration. The first urine specimen was collected within 2 to 12 hours with peak concentrations of cefalexin measured at 430 to 2758 µg/ml within 12 hours.

After repeated oral administration of the same dosage, twice a day for 7 days, plasma peaks occurred 2 hours later with a concentration of 20 µg/ml. Over the treatment period, concentrations were maintained above 1 µg/ml. The mean elimination half-life is 2 hours. Skin levels were around 5.8 to 6.6 µg/g, 2 hours after treatment.

6.

PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1

List of excipients

- Crospovidone

- Mannitol

- Starch pregelantinised

- Croscarmellose sodium

- Collodial anhydrous silica

- Collodial hydrated silica

- Povidone K30

- Microcrystalline cellulose (type A)

- Poultry liver powder

- Magnesium stearate

- Microcrystalline cellulose (type B)

6.2

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3

Shelf life

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

6.4

Special precautions for storage

Keep the blisters in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Divided tablets should be stored in blister packs.

6.5

Nature and composition of immediate packaging

Blister packs consisting of cold formed OPA/Al/PVC foil and aluminium foil.

UK

Cardboard Box with 30 blisters of 7 tablets.

IE

Cardboard Box with 2 blisters of 7 tablets

Cardboard Box with 20 blisters of 7 tablets

Cardboard Box with 30 blisters of 7 tablets.

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

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

7.

MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Virbac

1ère avenue - 2065 m - LID

06516 Carros

France

8.

MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

Vm 05653/4132

9.

DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

24 October 2005

10.

DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

October 2016