Vetrimec Plus

Ivermectin lotion is a no-comb,10-minute prescription treatment used to treat head lice infestations in adults and children 6 months of age and older.

Ivermectin is also available in tablet form. It is a prescription medication used to treat two types of roundworm parasites. It is usually taken as a single dose on an empty stomach with water.

Ivermectin is also available in a topical cream that is used to treat rosacea.

Ivermectin belongs to a group of drugs called antihelmintics. It works by killing the target parasite.

Common side effects of ivermectin lotion include eye redness and irritation, dandruff, and dry skin.

Common side effects of ivermectin tablets include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

• MWI/VetOne

Oral:

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• medications for anxiety
• mental illness or seizures
• muscle relaxants
• sedatives
• sleeping pills
• tranquilizers

This is not a complete list of all drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Topical:

Ivermectin lotion is unlikely to affect the actions of other medications you are taking, and other medications are unlikely to affect ivermectin lotion.

No drug interactions have been identified by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Oral:

Serious side effects have been reported with this medication, and certain precautions should be followed:

• fever
• blistering or peeling skin
• rash
• hives
• itching

If treating specifically for the parasite loa loa (endemic in West or Central Africa), you may also experience certain serious adverse effects that should be addressed immediately if they occur. These effects have been seen very rarely following the use of ivermectin.

• swelling of the eyes, face, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• joint pain and swelling
• painful and swollen glands of the neck, armpit or groin
• rapid heartbeat
• eye pain, redness, or tearing
• swelling of the eye or eyelids
• abnormal sensation in the eyes

Do not use ivermectin tablets if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Ivermectin tablets can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Topical:

 Certain precautions should be followed when using ivermectin lotion:

• Ivermectin lotion is for use on scalp hair and scalp only. Do not get ivermectin lotion in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Ivermectin is a member of the macrocyclic lactone class of endectocides which have a unique mode of action. Compounds of the class bind selectively and with high affinity to glutamate-gated chloride ion channels which occur in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells. This leads to an increase in the permeability of the cell membrane to chloride ions with hyperpolarization of the nerve or muscle cell, resulting in paralysis and death of the parasite. Compounds of this class may also interact with other ligand-gated chloride channels, such as those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

The margin of safety for compounds of this class is attributable to the fact that mammals do not have glutamate-gated chloride channels, the macrocyclic lactones have a low affinity for other mammalian ligand-gated chloride channels and they do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.

Clorsulon is rapidly absorbed into the circulating blood. Erythrocytes with bound drug as well as plasma are ingested by Fasciola hepatica. Adult Fasciola hepatica are killed by clorsulon because of inhibition of enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, which is their primary source of energy.

Vetrimec™ Plus Injection is indicated for the effective treatment and control of the following parasites in cattle:

Gastrointestinal Roundworms (adults and fourth-stage larvae):

Ostertagia ostertagi (including inhibited O. ostertagi)
O. lyrata
Haemonchus placei
Trichostrongylus axei
T. colubriformis
Cooperia oncophora
C. punctata
C. pectinata
Bunostomum phlebotomum
Nematodirus helvetianus (adults only)
N. spathiger (adults only)
Oesophagostomum radiatum

Lungworms (adults and fourth-stage larvae):

Dictyocaulus viviparus

Liver Flukes:

Fasciola hepatica (adults only)

Cattle Grubs (parasitic stages):

Hypoderma bovis

H. lineatum

Sucking Lice:

Linognathus vituli
Haematopinus eurysternus
Solenopotes capillatus

Mange Mites (cattle scab*):

Psoroptes ovis (syn. P. communis var. bovis)
Sarcoptes scabiei var. bovis

Persistent Activity

Ivermectin and clorsulon injection has been proved to effectively control infections and to protect cattle from reinfection with Dictyocaulus viviparus and Oesophagostomum radiatum for 28 days after treatment; Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei and Cooperia punctata for 21 days after treatment; Haemonchus placei, and Cooperia oncophora for 14 days after treatment.

* Ivermectin has been approved as a scabicide by USDA/APHIS. Federal regulations require that cattle infested with or exposed to scabies (i.e., infestations with Psoroptes ovis) be treated. Ivermectin when used according to label instructions meets this requirement. Treated cattle may be shipped interstate, but they must not be mixed with other cattle for 14 days following treatment.

The federal regulations make no restriction on the movement of cattle not affected with or exposed to scabies. However, individual states have additional regulations to govern the interstate shipment of cattle and the regulatory veterinarian in the state of destination should be consulted for applicable regulations on the use of ivermectin in the control of scabies.

Vetrimec™ Plus (ivermectin and clorsulon) Injection is to be given subcutaneously only. Animals should be appropriately restrained to achieve the proper route of administration. Use of a 16-gauge,½" to ¾" sterile needle is recommended. Inject the solution subcutaneously (under the skin) behind the shoulder (see illustration).

Any single-dose syringe or standard automatic syringe equipment may be used with the 50 mL or 100 mL pack size. When using the 250 mL, 500 mL or 1000 mL pack size, use only automatic syringe equipment.

Use sterile equipment and sanitize the injection site by applying a suitable disinfectant. Clean, properly disinfected needles should be used to reduce the potential for injection site infections.

No special handling or protective clothing is necessary.

The viscosity of the product increases in cool temperatures. Administering Vetrimec™ Plus at temperatures of 5 °C (41 °F) or below may be difficult. Users can make dosing easier by warming both the product and injection equipment to about 15 °C (59 °F).

In breeding animals (bulls and cows), ivermectin and clorsulon used at the recommended level had no effect on breeding performance.