To treat and manage roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms as well as prevent heartworm illness brought on by Dirofilaria immitis, Interceptor Plus contains the active component milbemycin oxime. Praziquantel, a medication that treats tapeworm infection, is also present.
What is the active component of interceptor?
Milbemycin oxime and praziquantel, two potent active components in Interceptor Plus, work together to provide your dog with a secure and reliable defence against five different harmful parasite species.
Discontinued by Novartis, Interceptor should be available this spring under new owner Elanco.
With the reintroduction of the heartworm medication Interceptor Flavor Tabs, Elanco Animal Health has brought a long-forgotten parasiticide back to life.
The monthly medication was discontinued by Novartis Animal Health in 2013 due to quality-control difficulties, and the Greenfield, Indiana-based manufacturer of veterinary medications received Interceptor from that company. Jan. 1 saw the $5.4 billion acquisition by Elanco of Novartis.
This spring, Interceptor Flavor Tabs will be available once more “integral component of the parasiticide range for the new Elanco, according to spokesperson Cathy Martin on Monday.
“Martin continued, “Interceptor gives veterinarians the proper science at the best price.”
Heartworms and intestinal worms are prevented by Interceptor (milbemycin oxime). The medication is authorised for the treatment and management of adult roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms in dogs, as well as adult dog and cat roundworms and hookworms.
When production problems at a facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, were discovered in 2011, Norvartis had sold approximately 1 billion doses of Interceptor Flavor Tabs. This caused the supply of several other well-liked veterinary medications, including the anti-parasites Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum, to be interrupted.
In April 2013, the same month that Novartis declared Interceptor to be discontinued, Sentinel made a comeback. As part of Elanco’s acquisition of Novartis, the Sentinel line was spun off to Virbac Animal Health as of January 2.
What drug does interceptor contain?
Internal parasites like hookworms and roundworms are treated in dogs and cats with milbemycin oxime, which is sold under the brand name Interceptor.
It can also be found in medications used in combination products (such Sentinel, Sentinel Spectrum, and Trifexis) (lufenuron or spinosad). These combination medications also act as flea preventives in addition to treating internal parasites and preventing heartworm.
Additionally, milbemycin is employed “off label” or “extra-label” to treat dog mite infestations. In veterinary medicine, many medications are frequently used for off-label uses. In these situations, pay close attention to your veterinarian’s instructions and warnings.
How is milbemycin oxime given?
Milbemycin is administered orally in the form of a flavoured tablet. Milbemycin can be used with or without food, but if your pet vomits or acts ill after receiving it on an empty stomach, try administering it along with a tiny amount of food.
Improvements in clinical symptoms should follow within 1 to 2 days for internal parasites and within 24 hours for external parasites after this drug starts to work.
What if I miss giving my pet the medication (or my shipment is late)?
As soon as you remember, administer the missing dose; after that, wait the period of time between doses that your veterinarian has advised before administering the subsequent dose. Don’t administer additional dosages or two doses at once to your dog.
If more than 8 weeks have gone since the last time you took milbemycin as a heartworm preventative, speak with your veterinarian for advice.
Are there any potential side effects?
Milbemycin is well tolerated at normal doses. There have been negative effects reported when mites are treated with greater doses. In the event that any of the following occur, contact your veterinarian right away:
- melancholy, fatigue, or a lack of strength
- falling or tripping
- convulsions or coma
- enlarged, dilated pupils
- excessive salivation
Only moderate doses of milbemycin cause negative effects in several breeds, including collies, sheepdogs, and collie- or sheepdog-cross breeds, which are also susceptible to milder levels.
Although effects may last longer in animals with liver or kidney problems, this moderate-acting medicine should stop working in a few days.
Are there any risk factors for this medication?
Most pets can safely utilise milbemycin. Use of milbemycin is contraindicated in:
- dogs that have not recently had a negative heartworm test
- pups or dogs weighing less than 2 pounds or puppies younger than 4 weeks old (900 g)
- kittens or cats under 6 weeks old or weighing less than 1.5 lbs (680 g)
Collies, sheepdogs, and collie- or sheepdog-cross breeds are a few dog breeds that are more sensitive to milbemycin than others. This is often caused by a certain genetic mutation (MDR1) that reduces their tolerance for milbemycin at high doses. These dog breeds can safely receive heartworm preventive doses.
Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?
Milbemycin may interact with other medications (e.g., cyclosporine, amidarone, diltiazem, azole antifungals, erythromycin). Tell your vet about any medications your pet is receiving, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments.
Is there any monitoring that needs to be done with this medication?
A heartworm test should be performed on your pet before administering any milbemycin-containing medication. Milbemycin can have a life-threatening reaction if it is administered to a pet who has a significant number of immature worms.
Prior to administering the medication, screening may be carried out on breeds of dogs who may be sensitive to milbemycin. A pet’s genetic mutation that causes bad reactions to milbemycin can be detected by DNA testing.
How do I store milbemycin?
Products made from milbemycin oxime should be kept at room temperature, away from heat sources, and in a dry, cool environment. This medication should not be kept in the bathroom, close to the kitchen sink, or in a wet area. The effectiveness of the medication may be lowered by heat or moisture exposure.
What should I do in case of emergency?
Call your veterinarian’s office right away if you think your pet may have taken too much medication or is having an unfavourable reaction to it. Follow their instructions for contacting an emergency facility if they are not readily available.
Ivermectin is present in interceptor?
On the website of the American Heartworm Society, a thorough examination of heartworm and its causes is provided, along with maps illustrating its regional prevalence.
The ONLY effective heartworm preventive drug for Collies, Collie-mixes, Shelties, and Sheltie-mixes is Interceptor. The drug ivermectin, which is known to have fatal consequences in these and certain other breeds, is absent from Interceptor, which explains why.
It is simple to prevent heartworm. Give a tablet of Interceptor once every month. Ask your veterinarian whether Interceptor should be administered from spring to fall or year-round in your location (normally, April to November). More and more veterinarians advise administering Interceptor 365 days per year.
What distinguishes Interceptor from Heartgard?
There are several ways in which these drugs are comparable. Both medicines are once-monthly, chewable, prescription-only, and have a delicious beef flavour. Both can be used safely on pups (Interceptor from a weight of 2 pounds).
pounds and a 4-week-old, and Heartgard Plus starting at a 6-week-old. They both help to prevent heartworms and also provide further defence against hookworms and roundworms.
Heartgard Plus has not been shown to be safe for nursing mother dogs, however Interceptor has been shown to be safe for use in lactating dogs. Heartgard Plus is only designed for dogs, while Interceptor can also be used by cats.
A cat-friendly alternative is Heartgard for Cats. Whipworms are further protected from by Interceptor. Milbemycin Oxime is the active component in Interceptor, whereas
