Iverhart Plus by Virbac Animal Health (ivermectin/pyrantel) is a once-a-month heartworm preventative against canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).
Active Ingredients (per each flavored chewable tablet):
Dosage:
Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows:
Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables are recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older.
For dogs over 100 lbs use the appropriate combination of these flavored chewables.
Administration: Remove only one flavored chewable at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Because most dogs find IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dog food or placed in the back of the dog's mouth for forced swallowing. Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.
Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog's last exposure to mosquitoes.
When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease prevention program, the first dose of IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.
If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.
Monthly treatment with IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables also provides effective treatment and control of tapeworms, ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense).
Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian
Precautions: All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables which are not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables.
While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables at the recommended dose level, IVERHART Plus Flavored Chewables are not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.
Store at controlled room temperature of 59°-86°F (15°-30°C).
Protect product from light.
Adverse Reactions: Ivermectin has shown the following side affects in few cases: depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.
Ivermectin has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks.
Additional information not available for this medicine.