Milbemax (milbemycin oxime/praziquantel)

What is Milbemax?

What is Milbemax? Milbemax is a prescription drug tablet used for dogs and cats. The combined active ingredients of milbemycin oxime and praziquantel work together as a parasiticide to kill, remove, and prevent parasites. What is Milbemax Used for? Milbemax is used for numerous internal worm infections as well as fleas, ticks and mites on the skin. Milbemax treats such worms as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. It also can be used to prevent lungworms in dogs and heartworms in cats. How Does Milbemax Work? The active ingredient milbemycin kills the parasites by blocking their nerve signals. Praziquantel attacks worm infestations by causing the worms to detach themselves from the host, ultimately leading to removal of the worms by defecation.

How to use Milbemax

Milbemax is an oral medication that comes in the form of a tablet. The tablets are covered with a flavoring to help them taste more appealing to your pet. There are two different strengths to choose from for both cats and dogs. Which tablet strength and dosage suggested is based on the animal’s weight. Adult cats will usually take the tablet composed of 16mg milbemycin oxime and 40 mg of praziquantel, whereas smaller felines and kittens take a weaker strength tablet of 4mg milbemycin oxime and 10 mg praziquantel. You can tell which strength your vet prescribed you based on the corresponding tablet color. The stronger strength tablets are red, whereas the weaker strength tablets are pink. Dogs have a similar system of tablets based on age and size, with adult dogs taking a tablet of 12.5 mg milbemycin oxime and 125 mg praziquantel, and smaller dogs and puppies being prescribed a weaker strength tablet of 2.5 mg milbemycin oxime and 25 mg praziquantel. As with cats, the dogs have a color system to tell the two strengths apart. Blue tablets are the stronger tablets, while light blue are the weaker medication. Dosage According to Weight Cats Weight/Dosage 1-2.2 lbs. / ½ tablet (weaker strength) 2.2-4.4 lbs. / 1 tablet (weaker strength) 4.4-8.8 lbs. / ½ tablet (stronger strength) 8.8-17.6 lbs. / 1 tablet (stronger strength) Dogs Weight/Dosage 1-2.2 lbs. / ½ tablet (weaker strength) 2.2-11 lbs. / 1 tablet (weaker strength) 11-22 lbs. / ½ tablet (stronger strength) 22-55 lbs. / 1 tablet (stronger strength) 55-110 lbs. / 2 tablets (stronger strength) How Should Milbemax be Given? This medication should be given with some food or administered immediately after food consumption. You can carefully put the tablet on the tongue at the back of the animal’s mouth to get them to swallow. Also, putting the tablet itself in the pet’s food is a recommend method to ensure your pet takes its medication. Always watch to make sure your pet actually

Milbemax warnings and precautions

Milbemax should not be used on any animal that weighs under one pound. Do not give Milbemax to puppies who are younger than two weeks or to kittens younger than six weeks of age. Do not give your pet Milbemax if you know they are allergic to milbemycin oxime and/or praziquantel. Have your vet check your pet for worms before administering Milbemax as a preventive medication. This drug has not been tested on pregnant cats or cats already diagnosed with heartworms.

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

Try to give your pet their medication on the same date each month. The effectiveness of Milbemax is reduced if medications are skipped or spaced out farther than prescribed by your vet. Always follow your vet’s instructions as to how often your pet should take their prescription. If you think your pet overdosed on their medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Milbemax interactions

There are currently no known harmful drug interactions with Milbemax. Talk to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about Milbemax and your pet’s other prescriptions.

Milbemax side effects

As with any medication, there are things to watch for in your pet to make sure they aren’t having a negative reaction to their Milbemax tablets. While very few side effects have been reported, certain dogs have had seizures and nervous system issues following their Milbemax mediation. A limited number of dogs have gone into shock and had to be hospitalized to properly recover. Shock symptoms include vomiting, shaking, increased salivation, and heavy breathing. Consult your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows any of these side effects.