Imec Injection is a broad spectrum anti parasitic for cattle. It is used for the treatment and control of gastro-intestinal nematodes, lungworms, warbles, mange, mites and lice in beef and non lactating dairy cattle and sheep.

​Active Ingredient: Ivermectin

Target Species: Cattle, sheep

Administration Method: Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)

Treats and Controls: Gastro-intestinal nematodes, lungworms,  warbles, mange, mites and lice in cattle.

Withdrawal Time: 49 days for cattle intended for meat and offal, not permitted for use on cattle producing milk for human consumption. 42 days for sheep intended for meat and offal.

Dosage for cattle: 1 ml per 50 kg of bodyweight 

Dosage for sheep: 0.1 ml per 5 kg of bodyweight 

Always read the label and all enclosed information for Imec Injection before administering to animals!

Why use an injection over a pour-on?

• Injections are the most reliable way to maximise the effect of the active ingredient
• Injections guarantee the active ingredient is delivered rapidly and in high concentration
• With injections, factors such as skin and coat thickness, spillage of product and weather do not affect dosage 

Features of Imec Injection

• Broad spectrum Ivermectin Injection
• Aimed at treating cattle, sheep and pigs
• Treatment of most parisites both internal and external

Health Products Regulatory Authority

Click here to Download Data Sheet

Summary of Product Characteristics

1 NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Imec 10 mg/ml Solution for Injection

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
1 ml solution for injection contains:

Active substance(s): Ivermectin…………………10 mg
Excipient(s): Benzyl alcohol…………….10 mg
For the full list of excipients, see section

6.1 3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Solution for injection
A clear, colourless solution.

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target Species
Cattle, sheep and pigs.

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species
Cattle
For the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms, eyeworms, warble flies, mites and lice (as shown below) of beef and non-lactating dairy cattle:

Gastrointestinal worms (adults and 4th stage larvae):
Ostertagia ostertagi
Ostertagia lyrata
Haemonchus placei
Trichostrongylus colubriformis
Cooperia oncophora (adults)
Cooperia punctata (adults)
Cooperia pectinata (adults)
Bunostomum phlebotomum
Oesophagostomum radiatum

Lungworms (adult and 4th stage larvae):
Dictyocaulus viviparus

Eyeworms (adult):
Thelazia spp.

Warble flies (parasitic stages):
Hypoderma bovis
H. lineatum

Mites: 
Psoroptes ovis
Sarcoptes scabiei var. bovis

Sucking lice:
Linognathus vituli
Haematopinus eurysternus
Solenopotes capillatus
May also be used as an aid in the control of the mange mite Chorioptes bovis but complete elimination may not occur.
Treatment with the product at the recommended dose rate prevents re-infection with
Haemonchus placei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia pectinata and Trichostrongylus axei for 7 days after treatment, Ostertagia ostertagi and Oesophagostomum radiatum for 14 days after treatment and
Dictyocaulus viviparus for 21 days after treatment.

Sheep
For the treatment of psoroptic mange (sheep scab), gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and nasal bots of sheep:

Gastrointestinal roundworms (adults):
Ostertagia circumcincta
Haemonchus contortus
Trichostrongylus axei
T. colubriformis and T. vitrinus
Cooperia curticei
Nematodirus filicollis
Variable activity may be observed against Cooperia curticei and Nematodirus filicollis.

Lungworms:
Dictyocaulus filaria (adults)

Mange mites:
Psoroptes ovis
Nasal bot:
Oestrus ovis (all larval stages)

Pigs
For the treatment of gastro-intestinal nematodes, lungworms, lice and mange mites of pigs.

Gastro-intestinal worms (adult and fourth stage larvae):
Ascaris suum
Hyostrongylus rubidus
Oesophagostomum spp.
Strongyloides ransomi (adults).

Lungworms:
Metastrongylus spp. (adults)

Lice:
Haematopinus suis

Mange Mites:
Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis


4.3 Contraindications
Do not use in lactating dairy cows and sheep producing milk for human consumption.
Do not use in non-lactating dairy cows, including pregnant dairy heifers or non-lactating dairy sheep within 60 days of calving/lambing.
Do not use in cases of known hypersensitivity to ivermectin.
Do not administer by the intravenous or intramuscular route.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species
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 the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device
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.
Treatment of psoroptic mange (sheep scab) with one injection is not recommended because, although clinical improvement may be seen, elimination of all mites may not occur.

Sheep scab (Psoroptes ovis) is an extremely contagious external parasite of sheep.
Following treatment of infected sheep great care must be taken to avoid re-infestation as mites may be viable for up to 15 days off the sheep.
It is important to ensure all sheep which have been in contact with infected sheep are treated. Contact between treated infected and non-treated, non-infected flocks must be avoided until at least 7 days after the last treatment.

Resistance to ivermectin has been reported in Ostertagia circumcincta in lambs and in Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle. Therefore, the use of this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information about susceptibility of these helminth species 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 non-target species.
Cases of intolerance with fatal results are reported in dogs – especially Collies, Old English Sheepdogs and related breeds and crosses, and also in turtles/tortoises.
Do not combine treatment with vaccination against lungworms.
If vaccinated animals are to be treated, treatment should not be carried out within a period of 28 days before or after vaccination. The shedding of nematode eggs can continue for some time after treatment.

In Cattle:
To avoid secondary reactions due to the death of Hypoderma larvae in the oesophagus or in the spine, it is recommended to administer the product at the end of warble fly activity and before the larvae reach their resting sites. Swab septum before removing each dose.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Do not smoke, eat or drink while handling the product.
Wash hands after use.
Take care to avoid self injection: the product may cause local irritation and/or pain at the site of injection. 

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Transitory discomfort has been observed in some animals immediately following subcutaneous administration.
In cattle this may include jumping and rolling, but behaviour returns to normal after 15 minutes.
Soft tissue swelling and thickening of the skin at the injection site has been observed in treated animals.
Typically these reactions are transient and disappear within one to four weeks

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
The product can be administered during pregnancy in cows, ewes and sows (for information on use in lactating animals, see sections 4.3 and 4.11).
The fertility of males is not affected by administration of the product.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interactions
Do not combine ivermectin treatment with vaccination against lungworms.
If vaccinated animals are to be treated, treatment should not be carried out within a period of 28 days before or after vaccination (see section 4.5).

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route
For single administration only (except for the treatment of Psoroptes ovis infections in sheep).
To ensure administration of a correct dose, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Accuracy of the dosing device should be checked. If animals are to be treated collectively rather than individually, they should be grouped according to their bodyweight and dosed accordingly, in order to avoid under- or over-dosing.

Cattle Dosage:
1.0 ml per 50 kg bodyweight (based on a recommended dosage level of 200 micrograms ivermectin per kg bodyweight).
Administration: Inject subcutaneously in front of, or behind, the shoulder using aseptic technique.
A sterile 1.4 x 15 mm (17G x ½ inch) needle is recommended.

Sheep Dosage:
0.5 ml per 25 kg of bodyweight (based on a recommended level of 200 micrograms ivermectin per kg bodyweight).

Administration:
For the treatment of gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms and nasal bots inject once subcutaneously in the neck, using aseptic precautions; a sterile 1.4 x 15 mm (17G x ½ inch) needle is recommended.
For the treatment of Psoroptes ovis (sheep scab), two injections with a seven day interval are required to treat clinical signs of scab and to eliminate living mites.
For young lambs weighing less than 20.0 kg give 0.1 ml per 5 kg. In these lambs the use of a syringe which can deliver as little as 0.1 ml is recommended.

Pigs Dosage:
1.5 ml per 50 kg bodyweight (based on a recommended dosage level of 300 micrograms ivermectin per kg bodyweight)
Administration:
The recommended route of administration is by subcutaneous injection into the neck using aseptic technique and a sterile 1.4 x 15 mm (17G x ½ inch) needle.
For piglets weighing less than 16 kg give 0.1 ml per 3 kg.
In these piglets the use of a syringe which can deliver as little as 0.1 ml is recommended.

When using the 200 or 500ml pack sizes, use only automatic syringe equipment.
For the 50ml pack size, use of a multiple dose syringe is recommended.
To refill the syringe, use of a draw-off needle is recommended to avoid excessive broaching of the stopper.

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Clinical symptoms of ivermectin toxicity include ataxia and depression.
No antidote has been identified.
In case of overdose, symptomatic treatment should be given.
No signs of toxicity were observed in animals treated at up to 3 times the recommended dose rate.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)
Cattle:
Meat and offal: 49 days.
Do not use in lactating cows producing milk for human consumption.
Do not use in non-lactating dairy cows, including pregnant dairy heifers, within 60 days of calving.

Sheep:
Meat and offal: 42 days.
Do not use in lactating ewes producing milk for human consumption.
Do not use in sheep which are intended to produce milk for human consumption within 60 days of lambing.

Pigs:
Meat and offal: 28 days

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL or IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Ivermectin is a mixture of two partially modified compounds of abamectin belonging to the avermectin family, which are a macrocyclic lactone group of endectocides.
Abamectin is a mixture of two fermentation products of the soil organism Streptomyces avermitilis.

ATC vet code:
QP54AA01.

Pharmacotherapeutic group:
Endectocide, ivermectin

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone derivative and acts by inhibiting nerve impulses.
It 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.
The macrocyclic lactones have a low affinity for other mammalian ligand-gated chloride channels and they do not readily cross the blood-brain barrier.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars
In each of the target species the pharmacokinetic profile following subcutaneous administration was characterised as follows (pharmacokinetic parameters presented as mean values):
Following administration to cattle,
Cmax was 51ng/ml, with a Tmax of 43 h, T1/2 of 129 h and an AUC of 7398 ng.h/ml.

Following two subsequent administrations seven days apart to sheep,
Cmax was 14 ng/ml, with a Tmax of 202 h, T1/2 of 380 h and an AUC of 4686 ng.h/ml.

Following administration to pigs,
Cmax was 6.35ng/ml, with a Tmax of 106 h, T1/2 of 219 h and an AUC of 1260 ng.h/ml.

Only about 2% of the drug is excreted in urine, faecal excretion being the major route of elimination.
Tissue residues of radioactivity following subcutaneous administration of tritium-labelled ivermectin are highest in liver and fat; lowest levels are found in brain. In cattle, the residual antiparasitic effect of ivermectin is due to its persistence which in turn is due in part to its long intrinsic half life and its relatively high protein binding (90%). 

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Benzyl alcohol
Ethanol
96 per cent Water for injections
Propylene glycol

6.2 Major incompatibilities
In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

6.3 Shelf-life
Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years
Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product after first opening the immediate packaging: 28 days

6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25°C.
Protect from direct sunlight.
Keep container in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging
HDPE multidose container with bromobutyl rubber stopper and aluminium cap.
Pack size: 50 ml, 200 ml and 500 ml.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
ECO Animal Health Europe Limited
6th Floor
South Bank House
Barrow Street
Dublin 4
D04 TR29
Ireland

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
VPA22693/007/001

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
Date of first authorisation: 26 November 2004
Date of last renewal: 25 November 2009 

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
October 2019

 Cattle Injectables
Injectables should be given according to the manufacturer’s instructions at the recommended injection site.
• Always use a clean, sterile syringe and needle. If using a multiple injection gun, ensure the needle is disinfected between injections, e.g. with an automatic sterilisation system.
• If the site to be injected is dirty, clean the skin and swab with an alcohol-impregnated wipe or cotton wool.
• Before injecting, check the expiry date and read the instructions of the product to be used. Some products need to be shaken before use.
• Use the correct-sized needle according to the size of the animal and site of injection.
• Ensure the animal is adequately restrained before attempting the injection.
• Take care to ensure it is given subcutaneously and not intramuscularly. Raise a fold of skin at the injection site (mainly neck but some are ear) recommended by the product manufacturer and inject carefully into the space created.
• If a large dose is to be delivered, it may be advisable to split the dose between two injection sites. After the injection, briefly massage the site to improve the dispersal of the injected material.
• Dispose of the needle and syringe in appropriate clinical waste and sharps containers.

Sheep Subcutaneous injections
Subcutaneous injections need to be administered with care to ensure the product is placed under the skin and not into the fleece or muscle.
The sheep needs to be well restrained, and the skin ‘tented’ away from the underlying muscle.
The preferred injection site is 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) below the ear on the side of the neck (see diagram below). Usually a 1.6 cm (5/8 inch) needle is ideal.
After administration, the site should be gently massaged.

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

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Agridirect Returns Policy

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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.

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

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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”
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• Select your reason for returning
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• 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.