Description

Uses
For the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworms and tapeworms of cats (see also ‘further information’).
Ascarids: Toxocara cati
Toxascaris leonina
Tapeworm: Dipylidium caninum
Taenia taeniaeformis

Dosage and administration
Dosage
The recommended dose rates are 57.5 mg/kg pyrantel embonate and 5 mg/kg praziquantel. This is equivalent to one Drontal Cat Tablets per 4 kg bodyweight and 1 Drontal Cat XL Tablets per 6 kg bodyweight.
See dosage chart below for examples:
Weight of Cat No of Drontal Cat Tablets No of Drontal Cat XL Tablets
up to 2 kg 0.5 -
> 2 kg up to 4 kg 1 -
> 4 kg up to 6 kg - 1
> 6 kg up to 8 kg 2
> 8 kg up to 10 kg 1 plus 1

Administration and Duration of Treatment
For single oral administration. The tablets should be given directly to the animal, but if necessary can be disguised in food.
Use During Pregnancy and Lactation
Not to be used during pregnancy but may be used during lactation.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc
Not intended for use in kittens less than 6 weeks of age.
Do not use simultaneously with piperazine compounds.
Until sufficient studies have been performed with this combination, do not use during pregnancy.
User Safety
In the interests of good hygiene, persons administering the tablets directly to a cat, or by adding them to the cat’s food, should wash their hands afterwards.
For animal treatment only.
Keep out of the reach of children
Environmental Safety
Empty containers or part used product should be disposed of with household refuse.
Unused product should be disposed of in accordance with any guidance from an appropriate waste regulation authority.

Further information
Drontal® Cat Tablets and Drontal® Cat XL Tablets are an anthelmintic active against roundworms and tapeworms. The product contains two active ingredients, pyrantel embonate (pamoate) and praziquantel. Praziquantel is used widely as an anthelmintic for both human and veterinary use.
Pyrantel acts as a cholinergic agonist. Its mode of action is to stimulate nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the parasite, induce spastic paralysis and thereby allow expulsion from the gastro-intestinal (GI) system by peristalsis.
Praziquantel is very rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the parasite. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that praziquantel causes severe damage to the parasite integument, resulting in contraction and paralysis. There is an almost instantaneous tetanic contraction of the parasite musculature and a rapid vacuolisation of the syncytial tegument. This rapid contraction has been explained by changes in divalent cation fluxes, especially calcium.
In this fixed combination product, the pyrantel is active against the following ascarids: Toxocara cati, and Toxascaris leonina; the praziquantel is effective against tapeworms, in particular Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis.
The product has been shown to be effective in the control of hookworms Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense and the tapeworm Joyeuxiella pasqualei, none of which occur naturally in cats in the UK but may occasionally be found in imported animals.
Praziquantel is effective against Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularis does not occur in the UK but is becoming more common in some European countries. As a precautionary measure to prevent establishment of E. multilocularis in the UK, it is recommended that all cats entering the country be treated with praziquantel.
Fleas serve as intermediate hosts for one common type of tapeworm - Dipylidium caninum. Tapeworm infestation is certain to re-occur unless control of intermediate hosts such as fleas, mice etc. is undertaken.