Equimax Horse Wormer (Ivermectin,  Praziquantel) is an oral paste wormer for horses containing ivermectin and Praziquantel as it's active ingredients. Equimax treats a range of internal parasites, including small and large redworms, lungworms, pinworms and bots in horses.

Active Ingredient: Ivermectin, Praziquantel

Target Species: Horse

Treats and Controls: Large redworms, Small redworms, Pinworms, Lungworms, Ascarids, Stomach worms, Intestinal threadworms, Cutaneous worms, Bots

Administration Method: Oral paste

Withdrawal Time: Withdrawal period for meat and offal is 35 days. Do not use in mares producing milk for human consumption.

Dosage for Horses: Each syringe is sufficient to dose a horse up to 700kg. 

Always read the label and all enclosed information for Equimax horse wormer before administering to animals!

Click here to download Data Sheet

Summary of Product Characteristics

1 NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Equimax oral gel for horses

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Each gram of Equimax contains
Active substances
Ivermectin.............................................................................. 18.7 mg
Praziquantel........................................................................... 140.3 mg
Excipients
Titanium dioxide (E171)......................................................... 20 mg
Propylene glycol..................................................................... 731 mg
For a full list of excipents, see section 6.1

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Oral gel.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Target Species
Horses.

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species
For the treatment of mixed cestode and nematode or arthropod infestations, due to adult and immature roundworms,
lungworms, bots and tapeworms in horses:

Nematodes


Large-strongyle:

Strongylus vulgaris (adult and arterial larvae)

Strongylus edentatus (adult and L4 tissue larval stages)

Strongylus equinus (adult)

Triodontophorus spp. (adult)


Small-strongyle:

Cyathostomum: Cylicocyclus spp., Cylicostephanus spp., Cylicodontophorus spp., Gyalocephalus spp. (adult
and non-inhibited mucosal larvae).


Parascaris: Parascaris equorum (adult and larvae).


Oxyuris: Oxyuris equi (larvae).


Trichostrongylus:Trichostrongylus axei (adult).


Strongyloides: Strongyloides westeri (adult).


Habronema: Habronema spp. (adult),


Onchocerca: Onchocerca spp. microfilariae i.e. cutaneous onchocerciasis


Lungworm: Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (adult and larvae).


Cestodes (Tapeworm): Anoplocephala perfoliata, Anoplocephala magna, Paranoplocephala mamillana.


Dipteran insects: Gasterophilus spp. (larvae)

As tapeworm infestation is unlikely to occur in horses before two months of age, tretment of foals below this age is not considered necessary.

4.3 Contraindications
Do not use in foals under 2 weeks of age.
Do not use in mares from which milk is taken for human consumption.
Do not use in horses known to be hypersensitive to active ingredients or to any other ingredients.


4.4 Special warnings for each target species
The product can be used safely in stallions.
Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the risk of the 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 body weight, misadministration of the product, or lack of
calibration of the dosing device (if any).
Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test). 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 ivermectin (an avermectin) has been reported in Parascaris equorum in horses in a number of countries including 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.

4.5 Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Avermectins may not be well tolerated in all non target species.
Cases of intolerance are reported in dogs, especially Collies, Old English Sheepdogs and related breeds or crosses, and also in turtles and tortoises.
Dogs and cats should not be allowed to ingest spilled paste or access to used syringes due to the potential for adverse effects related to ivermectin toxicity.
Parasite resistance to a particular class of anthelmintic may develop following frequent, repeated use of an anthelmintic of that class.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Wash hands after use (to be sure that eye contamination can not occur).
Avoid contact with the eyes. In the case of accidental contact, rinse with abundant quantities of water. In case of eye
irritation, seek medical attention.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling this product.
In the event of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice and show the doctor the leaflet so that he knows what you
have taken.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Horses carrying heavy infection of Onchocerca microfilariae have experienced such reactions as swelling and itching
after treatment.
It is assumed that these reactions are the result of the destruction of large numbers of microfilariae.
In case of very high levels of infestation, destruction of the parasites may cause a mild transient colic and loose faeces in the treated horse.
Colic, diarrhea and anorexia have been reported in vary rare occasions post treatment, in particular when there is heavy worm burden.
In very rare occasions, allergic reactions such as hypersalivation, lingual oedema and urticaria, tachycardia, congested mucus membranes, and subcutaneous oedema have been reported following treatment with the product.
A veterinarian should be consulted if these signs persist.



4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The product can be used safely in mares during the whole pregnancy period and lactation period.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route
Posology Single administration. 200 µg of ivermectin and 1.5 mg of praziquantel per kg of bodyweight corresponding to 1.07 g of paste per 100 kg bodyweight.
To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked as underdosing might lead to an increased risk of development of resistance to anthelmintic drugs. * Concerns the 7.49g syringe only
The first division delivers enough paste to treat 100 kg.
Each subsequent syringe division delivers enough paste to treat 50 kg of bodyweight.
The syringe should be adjusted to the calculated dosage by setting the ring on the appropriate place on the plunger. The syringe containing 6.42 g of paste delivers sufficient paste to treat 600 kg of bodyweight at the recommended dose rate.
The syringe containing 7.49 g of paste delivers sufficient paste to treat 700 kg of bodyweight at the recommended dose rate.

Directions for use
Oral use
Before administration, adjust the syringe to the calculated dosage by setting the ring on the plunger.
The paste is administered orally by inserting the nozzle of the syringe through the interdental space and depositing the required amount of paste on the back of the tongue.
The animal's mouth should be free of any food. Immediately after administration, elevate the head of the horse for a few seconds to ensure the dose is swallowed.
The veterinary surgeon should give advice regarding appropriate dosing programmes and stock management to achieve adequate parasite control for both tapeworm and roundworm infestations.

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
A tolerance study performed in foals from 2 weeks of age with doses up to 5 times the recommended dosage showed no adverse reactions.
Safety studies conducted with the veterinary medicinal product administered to mares at 3 times the recommended dosage at 14 day intervals during the whole gestation and lactation did not show any abortions, any adverse effects on the gestation, parturition and on the mares general health, nor any abnormalities on the foals.
Safety studies conducted with the veterinary medicinal product administered to stallions at 3 times the recommended dosage did not show any adverse effects in particular on the reproductive performances.

4.11 Withdrawal Period(s)
In Horses:
Meat and Offal: 35 days
Not permitted for use in horses producing milk for human consumption.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL or IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anthelmintics

ATCvet code:
QP 54AA51

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Ivermectin is a macrocyclic-lactone derivative which has a broad antiparasitic activity against nematodes and arthropods. It acts by inhibiting nerve impulses.
Its mode of action includes the glutamate-gated chloride ion channels.
Ivermectin binds 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 relevant parasites.
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.
Praziquantel is a pyrazinoisoquinoline derivative which exerts its anthelmintic activity against many species of cestodes and trematodes.
It primarily acts by impairing both motility and function of the suckers of cestodes. Its mode of action includes the impairing of neuromuscular co-ordination but also influencing the permeability of the integument of the worms, which leads to excessive calcium and glucose loss.
This induces spastic paralysis of the parasite musculature.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
After administration of the recommended dosage to horses, the ivermectin plasma peak was reached within 24 hours.
The ivermectin concentration was still over 2 ng/ml 14 days after administration.
The elimination half-life of ivermectin was 90h.
With regard to praziquantel, the plasma peak was reached within 1 hour.
The praziquantel was rapidly eliminated and was not detected after 8 h post treatment.
The elimination half-life of praziquantel was 40 min.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Hydrogenated castor oil
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Propylene glycol 

6.2 Incompatibilities
Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf-life
Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale : 2 years.
Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging : 6 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage
Do not store above 30°C.
Store opened syringes below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging
An adjustable multidose syringe consisting of high density polyethylene (white) and low density polyethylene (white). The syringe contains 6.42 or 7.49 grams of product and is fitted with variable dose capacity.
Product presentations:
Box of 1, 2, 12, 40 or 48 syringes.
Blister of one syringe.

6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal products or waste materials Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with national requirements. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO FISH AND AQUATIC LIFE.
Do not contaminate surface waters or ditches with the product or used container.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
VIRBAC
1ere Avenue
2065 M - L.I.D.
06516 Carros
France

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
VPA 10988/091/001

9 DATE OF THE FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 8th February 2002
Date of last renewal: 7th February 2007

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
January 2013

Ivermectin is a semi-synthetic antiparasitic medication derived from avermectins, a class of highly active broad-spectrum antiparasitic agents isolated from the fermentation products of Streptomyces avermitilis. 

​Ivermectin itself is a mixture of two avermectins, comprising roughly 90% 5-O-demethyl-22,23-dihydroavermectin A1a (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a) and 10% 5-O-demethyl-25-de(1-methylpropyl)-22,23-dihydro­-25-(1-methylethyl) avermectin A1a (22,23-dihydroavermectin B1b).

Delivery Information

Delivery Service

Here at Agridirect we have joined forces with DPD to ensure all packages are delivered promptly and safely to you. We ship to all mainland countries within the EU. Deliveries take place Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. Once your order has been dispatched from our warehouse you will be notified by email. If there is a delay with your order for any reason you will be contacted immediately. 

Due to Brexit we are temporarily unable to ship to the UK. Shipping to Northern Ireland will remain in place.

Delivery Times

Some products have an extended delivery time, this is noted on the products.

Delivery Rates

A selection of the products we sell are only licensed for sale within the Republic Of Ireland and can not be shipped outside of the country. These products are noted as only being available within the Republic of Ireland on the individual product pages.

There may be an addition charge on certain bulky items. This charge will be clearly marked on an applicable products and will be explained on the checkout page before payment has been made.

Agridirect Returns Policy

We’re sorry your purchase didn’t work out. But don’t worry; we have a great returns policy to help you out.

All purchases can be returned to us within 14 days of delivery and returned goods must be received within 14 days from the date you informed us of the return.

Purchases may be opened for inspection but must not be used and must be repackaged securely in the original packaging if you wish to return it.

If we discover goods have been used or there has been a loss in value of the goods due to damage to the goods, while in your care or whilst being returned to us, we will reduce the amount refunded, which may amount to the full cost of the product, to cover loss of value of goods.

All returns should be complete which includes boxes, manuals and accessories that may have been included with the order.

All returns must be packaged appropriately for shipping, we will not accept responsibility for damages or loss which occur during shipping of a return product.

We accept no responsibility for goods damaged or lost while in transit to us. 

How do I return a product?

We have partnered with DPD to make your returns process easy and secure. simply follow the steps below and bring your package to an official DPD pickup point.

1) All returns must be accompanied with a fully filled out returns form which can be downloaded here.

2) To print off your return label click here or visit www.dpd.ie/returns and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure and use your order number as your reference.

• Select “Continue as Guest”
• Select “Agridirect” from the drop-down menu
• Select your reason for returning
• Select the size of the package you wish to return
• Accept DPD’s terms and conditions
• Fill in your payment details
• Fill in your own details
• Follow the instructions to print off your label

3) Bring your package to a DPD pickup point. To find your nearest drop off point here.

Once the returned product has been received into our warehouse and been fully inspected a refund will be issued.

If you choose not to use the DPD returns service we recommend that you use a method that can be tracked.

For the return of bulk products please contact us at sales@agridirect.ie

I have received a damaged product from you, what should I do?

First off, if you have received a damaged electrical product from us, do not plug it in. Any electrical products that are plugged in are deemed ‘as used and accepted’ and are not accepted as returns. All damages must be reported to us via phone or email within 24hours of receipt of goods. Please ensure you check your items upon delivery.

How do I begin the returns process?

If you wish to begin the return process, please email us at sales@agridirect.ie and ensure the following information is included in your email. Your name, phone number, Order id, the item you wish to return, reason for return and if the product is damaged we require photos of the product.

Once you have sent us all required information a member of our team will assess your claim and will contact you as soon as possible. Please hold off on returning products until a member of our team has called you to confirm.

Refunds

Once the returned product has been returned to us and fully inspected a refund will be issued.

Please Note: A typical timeline for a refund to show in your account is up to 10 working days from the date processed, depending on your bank.