Lopatol (Nitroscanate)

What is Lopatol?

What is Lopatol? Lopatol is an oral medicine, specifically a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, for dogs. The active ingredient in Lopatol is nitroscanate, which chemically is 4-nitro-4'-isothiocyano-diphenyl ether. Each tablet of Lopatol 100 is comprised of 100 mg of nitroscanate. Likewise, each tablet of Lopatol 500 contains 500 mg of nitroscanate in each tablet. What is Lopatol used for? Lopatol and other anthelmintics are used to destroy helminthes, otherwise known as parasitic worms, and then expel them from the dog’s body naturally. Lopatol is specifically indicated for the treatment of roundworms caused by Toxocara Canis and Toxascaris Leonine, hookworms caused by Ancylostoma Caninum and Uncinaria Stenocephala, and tapeworms caused by Taenia spp. and Dipylidium Caninum. How does Lopatol work? All anthelmintics, otherwise called dewormers, kill the parasitic worms outright or paralyze them. A paralyzed worm is unable to feed and thus quickly starves and dies. Lopatol achieves this effect by mimicking a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that initiates muscular contraction in the worm. Once the worms are dead, the body will flush them out through natural means.

How to use Lopatol

Medication should never be administered to a dog without first consulting a veterinarian. Be sure to read the label instructions carefully and to complete the cycle unless otherwise instructed by a veterinarian. Begin the cycle after an overnight fast, at least 8 hours. If the dog is fed once in the morning, it is all right to begin the cycle the following morning. Dogs weighing 1 kg (approximately 2.2 pounds) to 8 kg should receive one 100 mg tablet (Lopatol 100) per 2 kg of bodyweight per day. Larger dogs should receive one 500 mg tablet (Lopatol 500) per 10 kg of bodyweight per day. Owners should give their dog the proper dosage of Lopatol tablets in the morning, inserted into one-quarter of the dog’s daily food ration. The owner should then feed the animal the remaining portion of its ration in the evening. Make an abundant amount of drinking water available to the dog throughout the days that it is receiving the medication. Puppies can be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks as a preventive measure. Breeding bitches can be treated after mating as well as shortly before and 4 week after whelping. All dogs in breeding kennels should be dewormed 4 to 6 times a year. Other adults should be dewormed one or twice a year only as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Lopatol warnings and precautions

Keep Lopatol out of the reach of children. In addition, make certain that the Lopatol is not administered concurrently with any other anthelmintics. Lopatol should not be administered to severely debilitated animals. A veterinarian should be consulted if there are any concerns.

What do I do if I have missed a Lopatol dose?

Do not compensate for missed dosages. It is best to continue the cycle at the next morning. If multiple dosages have been missed, the cycle may need to restart. Consult with a veterinarian for proper instruction. If there is concern that the dog has received too large a dosage, the dog must be monitored closely. Signs of acute toxicity are curved positioning, dyspnea, exophthalmo, ruffled fur, and sedation. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any of these signs occur or if you have any concerns.

Lopatol interactions

There are no known potential negative drug interactions with Lopatol other than other anthelmintics. However, it is best to verify with veterinarian if your dog is receiving any other types of medication.

Lopatol side effects

Lopatol may induce vomiting. Vomiting will have no negative influence on the effectiveness of the dosage. Report any other apparent side effects to your veterinarian. Other Lopatol side effects include lethargy, lack of appetite and diarrhea. These side effects are not common.