Special warnings

Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of development of resistance and could ultimately result in ineffective therapy:

Too frequent and repeated use of anthelmintics from the same class, over an extended period of time.

Underdosing, which may be due to underestimation of bodyweight, misadministration of Dectomax Injection, or lack of calibration of the dosing device.

Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (Faecal Egg Count Reduction Tests). Where the results of the test(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to another pharmacological class and having a different mode of action should be used.

Resistance to doramectin (an avermectin) has been reported in Teladorsagia and Haemonchus in sheep within the EU. Therefore, the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further selection for resistance to anthelmintics.

Special precautions for use in animals

Dectomax Injection does not contain an antimicrobial preservative. Swab the septum before removing each dose. Use sterile equipment and follow aseptic procedures.

When treating groups of animals, use only the Dectomax automatic dosing device and vented draw-off apparatus.

For the treatment of individual sheep, a disposable 2ml syringe calibrated in increments of 0.1ml should be used.

In young lambs of less than 16kg bodyweight, seek veterinary advice regarding the use of appropriately sized needles and of 1ml disposable syringes graduated in increments of 0.1ml or less.

Syringes must be filled from the vial through a dry, sterile draw-off needle that has been placed in the vial stopper. Vial stoppers must not be broached more than 20 times. 

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering Dectomax Injection to animals.

Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst handling the product. Wash hands and exposed skin after use. Take care to avoid accidental self-administration – seek medical attention if any specific signs are noticed.

Advice to medical practitioners: in cases of accidental self-administration, specific symptoms have rarely been observed and therefore any cases should be treated symptomatically.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment

Doramectin is very toxic to dung fauna and aquatic organisms and may accumulate in sediments. The risks to aquatic organisms and dung fauna can be reduced by avoiding too frequent and repeated use of doramectin (and products of the same anthelmintic class) in sheep.

Cautions & Side Effects

Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness): None known.

Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay: May be used in pregnant ewes. Do not use in pregnant ewes which are intended to produce milk for human consumption, within 70 days of expected parturition.

Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interactions: None known.

Contraindications

Extra-label use in dogs should be avoided as severe adverse reactions may occur. In common with other avermectins, certain breeds of dog such as collies are especially sensitive to doramectin and particular care should be taken to avoid accidental consumption of the product. 

Storage

Do not freeze or refrigerate. Store in original package to protect from sunlight. 

Following withdrawal of the first dose, use Dectomax Injection within 28 days.

Shelf life of Dectomax Injection as packaged for sale: 3 years.

For product related technical queries, contact the Elanco Vets team:

Telephone: 01256 353131, selecting option 1 for technical services

Email: ElancoVets@elanco.com*

*please note this inbox will be checked during the next business day. If you require an urgent response to a product-use query, suspected adverse event or quality complaint regarding an Elanco product, please call 01256 353131 choosing option 1 for technical services. Outside of office hours, your call will be forwarded to our medical answer service and an Elanco representative will call you back. Thank you for your understanding.