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Interceptor® (Milbemycin Oxime)
Product information on this website is for Non-U.S. residents only and is provided by Novartis Animal Health Inc. for general purposes only. Many veterinary products listed are available upon prescription only, and not all such products may be available in all countries. The product information is not intended to provide complete medical information. SHOULD YOUR ANIMAL HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION, PROMPTLY SEE YOUR OWN VETERINARIAN. WE DO NOT OFFER PERSONALIZED MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR ANIMAL-SPECIFIC TREATMENT ADVICE. You should always obtain complete medical information about your veterinary product prescription (including their beneficial medical uses and possible adverse effects) by discussing the appropriate use of any veterinary product directly with the prescribing veterinarian.
Veterinary professionals may obtain complete medical information from the product's information leaflet. Information on these products may vary by country. Animal owners and veterinarians should check with local medical resources and regulatory authorities for information appropriate to their country. In addition, current regulations in many countries limit (or even prohibit in some instances) the ability of Novartis Animal Health Inc. to provide information and/or to respond directly to questions regarding its prescription products. Novartis Animal Health Inc., however, will respond to inquiries from and provide information to your qualified health care professional in accordance with local regulations.
Description
Product Type
Interceptor is an oral broad-spectrum anthelmintic tablet for the prevention of heartworm disease and the control of roundworms, hookworms and whipworms in dogs.
Description and Composition
Oral tablets of 4 strengths are available:
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INTERCEPTOR 2.3mg, a tablet containing 2.3 mg of milbemycin oxime.
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INTERCEPTOR 5.75mg, a tablet containing 5.75 mg of milbemycin oxime.
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INTERCEPTOR 11.5mg, a tablet containing 11.5 mg of milbemycin oxime.
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INTERCEPTOR 23mg, a tablet containing 23 mg of milbemycin oxime.
Properties
Milbemycin oxime belongs to the group of macrocyclic lactones, isolated from the fermentation of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. aureolacrimosus. It is active against mites, against larval and adult stages of nematodes as well as against larvae of Dirofilaria immitis.
The activity of milbemycin is related to its action on invertebrate neurotransmission: Milbemycin oxime, like avermectins and other milbemycins, increases nematode and insect membrane permeability to chloride ions via glutamate-gated chloride ion channels (related to vertebrate GABAA and glycine receptors). This leads to hyperpolarisation of the neuromuscular membrane and flaccid paralysis and death of the parasite.
INTERCEPTOR is well tolerated by dogs of all ages and breeds, including Collies and breeding animals.
Indications
INTERCEPTOR is indicated for the prevention of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease and the treatment and control of roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) in dogs.
In some European countries additional indications for nematodes and mites are available:
Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis
Mites: Demodex canis, Sarcoptes, Pneumonyssoides caninum
Dosage and Administration
INTERCEPTOR is given orally at the minimum dose of 0.5 mg milbemycin oxime per kg body weight according to the following table:
|
Weight of dog |
Tablets |
|
1 to 4 kg |
1 tablet of INTERCEPTOR 2.3mg |
|
>4 to 11 kg |
1 tablet of INTERCEPTOR 5.75mg |
|
>11 to 23 kg |
1 tablet of INTERCEPTOR 11.5mg |
|
>23 to 45 kg |
1 tablet of INTERCEPTOR 23mg |
Dogs over 45 kg are given an appropriate combination of tablets.
INTERCEPTOR must be given at monthly intervals, preferably on the same date starting within 1 month from the beginningof the heartworm transmission season and continuing until 1 dose after its end. Where heartworm transmission is not seasonal, INTERCEPTOR is given throughout the year. Dogs living in heartworm-free regions and travelling to heartworm risk areas should be treated within 1 month from the beginning of the exposure to transmission. Treatment should be repeated monthly until 1 administration after the end of the exposure risk. If INTERCEPTOR replaces another heartworm prevention the first dose should be given within 1 month after the previous treatment. The tablets can be given directly into the mouth of the dog or in a portion of food.
Special Precautions and Warnings
In heartworm risk areas or if it is known that the dog has been travelling in heartworm risk regions, dogs should be tested for heartworm infection. Heartworm prevention programs should be started only in dogs found to be uninfected.
Formulations and Packages
There are 4 tablet strengths
INTERCEPTOR containing 2.3 mg milbemycin oxime
INTERCEPTOR containing 5.75 mg milbemycin oxime
INTERCEPTOR containing 11.5 mg milbemycin oxime
INTERCEPTOR containing 23 mg milbemycin oxime
U.S. Residents
This is an international website and is intended for residents outside the US.
If you are a Consumer or Veterinarian in the USA and have questions about our products, please call:
Novartis Technical Product Services Group
1-800-637-0281
More Information
Learn more about Worm Control in Dogs and Cats from independent Non-profit organisations.
Visit ESCCAP Website
(Europe)
Visit CAPC Website
(North America)
Heartworm
Adult worms are 10 to 30 cm in length and about 1 mm in diameter.
Roundworm
Roundworms are the most common worms of dogs and cats.
Hookworm
Hookworms are common parasites of the small intestine of dogs and cats.
Whipworm
Whipworms are common parasites of the large intestine of dogs.