Elephant specific information, if available, is in blue.

Chemistry – A benzimidazole anthelmintic, oxibendazole occurs as a white powder that is practically insoluble in water.

 

Storage/Stability/Compatibility – Unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer, ox­ibendazole products should be stored at room temperature; protect from freezing.

 

Uses/Indications – Oxibendazole is indicated (labeled) for the removal of the following parasites in horses: large roundworms (Parascaris equorum), large strongyles (S. edenta­tus, S. equinus, S. vulgaris), small strongyles, threadworms, and pinworms (Oxyuris equi).

 

Oxfendazole has also been used in cattle, sheep, and swine; see Dosage section for more information.

 

Pharmacokinetics – No information was located.

 

Contraindications/Precautions – Oxibendazole is stated by the manufacturer (SKB) to be contraindicated in severely debilitated horses or in horses suffering from colic, toxemia or infectious disease. Oxibendazole is considered to be safe to use in pregnant mares.

 

Adverse Effects/Warnings – When used in horses at recommended doses, it is unlikely any adverse effects would be seen. Hypersensitivity reactions secondary to antigen release by dying parasites are theoretically possible, particularly at high dosages.

 

Oxibendazole in combination with diethylcarbamazine (Filaribits Plus®) has been impli­cated in causing periportal hepatitis in dogs.

 

Overdosage/Toxicity – Doses of 60 times those recommended elicited no adverse reac­tions in horses tested. It is unlikely that this compound would cause serious toxicity when given alone to horses.

 

Doses –

Horses:

For susceptible parasites:

a)   10 mg/kg PO; 15 mg/kg PO for strongyloides. (Package insert; Anthelcide EQ®—SKB)

b)   10 mg/kg PO (Robinson 1987), (Roberson 1988b)

 

 

Elephants:

a) 2.5 mg/kg orally as a single dose for helminthiasis (Chandrasekharan, 2002),

(Chandrasekharan et.al., 1995), (Chandrasekharan, 1992).

 

Elephant References:

 

a) Chandrasekharan,K. 2002. Specific diseases of Asian elephants. Journal of Indian Veterinary Association Kerala 7:(3):31-34  

a) Chandrasekharan,K., Radhakrishnan,K., Cheeran,J.V., Nair,K.N.M., and Prabhakaran,T., 1995. Review of the Incidence, Etiology and Control of Common Diseases of Asian Elephants with Special Reference to Kerala. In: Daniel,J.C. (Editor), A Week with Elephants; Proceedings of the International Seminar on Asian Elephants. Bombay Natural History Society; Oxford University Press, Bombay, India pp. 439-449

 

         a) Chandrasekharan,K., 1992. Prevalence of infectious diseases in elephants in Kerala and their treatment. In: Silas,E.G., Nair,M.K., and Nirmalan,G. (Editors), The Asian Elephant: Ecology, Biology, Diseases, Conservation and Management (Proceedings of the National Symposium on the Asian Elephant held at the Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur, India, January 1989). Kerala Agricultural University, Trichur, India pp. 148-155

 

Monitoring Parameters –

1)   Efficacy

 

Client Information – Protect suspension from freezing. Shake suspension well before us­ing. Not for use in horses intended for food.

 

Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status –

 

Veterinary-Approved Products:

Oxibendazole Suspension 100 mg/ml (10%) gallons. Anthelcide EQ®  Suspension (Pfizer); (Rx)  Approved for use in horses not used for food.

 

Oxibendazole Oral Paste 227 mg/gram (22.7%) in 24 gram syringes. Anthelcide EQ® Paste (Pfizer), (OTC)  Approved for use in horses not used for food.

 

A combination product (Filaribits Plus® —Pfizer) containing diethylcarbamazine and ox­ibendazole for the prophylactic treatment of heartworm and hookworms is available for dogs. See the product’s literature for more information. Oxibendazole may be known in the U.K. by the proprietary names: Dio®  (Alan Hitchings), Equidin® (Univet), Equitac®  (SKF) or Loditac®  (SKF).

 

Human-Approved Products: None