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 or kittens under 9 weeks of age.

Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the S.P.C. may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to 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 to animals there is a danger of excessive ingestion. The tablets must therefore be stored out of the reach of animals.

Local treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous infections in cats should be considered as a complement of the antibiotic treatment.

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)

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

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

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

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

- 5 days in case of cutaneous and subcutaneous infections (wounds and abscesses) in cats;

- 14 days in case of urinary-tract infection in cats and 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 cats and 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 cats and 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 dose of 15 mg/kg 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

5.2

Pharmacokinetic particulars

Dogs:

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.

Cats:

A single oral administration of 15 mg of Cefalexin per kg of bodyweight in cats led to a bioavailability of 56 %. The plasma peak was observed at 1.55 hour following administration with a plasma concentration above 15.1 µg/ml. The mean plasma half-life was about 1 to 2 hours. The first urine specimen was collected between 4 and 24 hours with the highest concentrations ranging between 63.7 and 393 µg/ml, occurring within 24 hours.

With the same dosage administered over 7 days, twice a day, the highest urine concentration of Cefalexin reached between 518 and 1256 µg/ml.

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 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 05653/4131

9.

DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

24 October 2005

10.

DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

October 2016