SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

UK, AT, IE, PL, CZ, BE, HU, GK, LUX, NL, PT	Therios 300 mg palatable tablets for dogs
IT, ES, FI	Therios 300 mg flavoured tablets for dogs
DE	Therios 300 mg aromatisierte Tabletten für Hunde

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Active substance:

Each tablet contains:

Cefalexin (as cefalexin monohydrate) 300 mg

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Tablet

Round scored beige palatable tablet

The tablet can be divided into halves and quarters

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Dogs.

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

For the treatment of bacterial skin infections in dogs (including deep and superficial pyoderma) caused by organisms sensitive to cefalexin.

For the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs (including nephritis and cystitis) caused by organisms sensitive to cefalexin.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use in animals which are known to be hypersensitive to penicillins, cephalosporins or any of the excipients

Do not use in case of severe renal failure

Do not use in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species

None.

4.5 Special precautions for use

i) Special precautions for use in animals

Whenever possible, the use of the product should be based on susceptibility testing and take into account official and local antimicrobial policies.

As with other antibiotics which are excreted mainly by the kidneys, systemic accumulation may occur when renal function is impaired. In case of known renal insufficiency the dose should be reduced.

The product is not recommended for use in dogs less than 2.5 kg bodyweight.

Use of the product deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to cefalexin and may decrease the effectiveness of treatment with other beta-lactam antibiotics due to the potential for cross-resistance.

Safety of the excipient, ammonium glycyrrhizate, has not been established in dogs less than 1 year old.

ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Cephalosporins may cause sensitization (allergy) following injection, inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Sensitivity to penicillins may lead to cross sensitivity to cephalosporin and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances may occasionally be serious.

1. Do not handle this product if you know you are sensitized or if you have been advised not to work with such preparations.

2. Handle this product with great care to avoid exposure, taking all recommended precautions. Wash hands after use.

3. If you develop symptoms following exposure such as skin rash you should seek medical advice and show the doctor this warning. Swellings of the face, lips or eyes or difficulty breathing are more serious symptoms and require urgent medical attention.

In the event of accidental ingestion, particularly by a child, seek medial attention and show the doctor the leaflet

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Vomiting and diarrhoea have been observed in dogs. In rare cases hypersensitivity can occur.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Do not use in pregnant or lactating bitches.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

In order to ensure efficacy, the product should not be used in combination with bacteriostatic antibiotics.

Concurrent use of first generation cephalosporins with aminoglycoside antibiotics or some diuretics such as furosemide can enhance nephrotoxicity risks

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

For oral administration.

15 mg cefalexin per kg bodyweight twice daily (equivalent to 30 mg per kg bodyweight per day) for duration of:

- 14 days in cases of urinary tract infection

- At least 15 days in cases of superficial infectious dermatitis

- At least 28 days in cases of deep infectious dermatitis

In severe or acute conditions the dose may be safely doubled to 30 mg/kg twice daily. To allow for accuracy of dosing, tablets can be halved or quartered.

Any increase in the dose or duration of treatment should be according to a risk/benefit assessment by the prescribing veterinarian.

To ensure a correct dosage bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible to avoid underdosing.

Therios tablets are well accepted by dogs but may be crushed or added to a small quantity of food immediately prior to feeding if necessary

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary

Trials performed on animals with up to 5 times the recommended twice daily dosage of 15 mg/kg demonstrated that cefalexin was well tolerated.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

Not applicable.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Cefalexin monohydrate, the active ingredient of the Therios tablets, is a bactericidal antibiotic of the cephalosporin family, obtained by hemi-synthesis of the 7 amino-cephalosporanic nucleus.

ATCvet code: QJ01DB01

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterial for systemic use, first-generation cephalosporin

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Cefalexin acts by inhibiting the nucleopeptide synthesis of the bacterial wall. Cephalosporins interfere with transpeptidation by acylating the enzyme making it unable to cross-link muramic acid-containing peptidoglycan strands. The inhibition of the biosynthesis of the material required to build the cell wall results in a defective cell wall and consequently osmotically unstable to protoplasts. The combined action results in cell lysis and filament formation.

Cefalexin is active against Gram positive pathogens such as Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. (including penicillin-resistant strains) and Gram negative pathogens such as Proteus mirabilis and some strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp.

Cefalexin is active against Methicillin-susceptible staphylococci including penicillin-resistant strains not against Methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Cefalexin is active against most beta-lactamase-producing Gram positive bacteria and has moderate activity against certain non-transferable (chromosomal) beta-lactamase-producing Gram negative Enterobacteriaceae and fastidious Gram negatives..

Resistance is plasmid-mediated or transmitted by chromosomal route.

Cefalexin has a time-dependent bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus sppand Pasteurella multocida.

CLSI cefalexin veterinary breakpoints are available for dogs in Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius,Streptococci-β-hemolytic group and Escherichia coliin skin and soft tissue infections.(CLSI, July 2013).

• Susceptible: ≤ 2 µg/mL

• Resistant: ≥ 8 µg/mL

Resistance to cefalexin may be due to one of the following mechanisms of resistance. Firstly, the production of various beta-lactamases (cephalosporinase), that inactivate the antibiotic, is the most prevalent mechanism among gram-negative bacteria. Secondly, a decreased affinity of the PBPs (penicillin-binding proteins) for beta-lactam drugs is frequently involved for beta -lactam resistant gram-positive bacteria. Lastly, efflux pumps, extruding the antibiotic from the bacterial cell, and structural changes in porins, reducing passive diffusion of the drug through the cell wall, may contribute to improve the resistant phenotype of a bacterium.

Well-known cross-resistance (involving the same resistance mechanism) exists between antibiotics belonging to the beta -lactam group due to structural similarities. It occurs with b-lactamases enzymes, structural changes in porins or variations in efflux pumps. Co-resistance (different resistance mechanisms involved) has been described in E.colidue to a plasmid harbouring various resistance genes.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

After single oral administration of the recommended dosage of 15 mg cefalexin per kg bodyweight to Beagle dogs, plasma concentrations were observed within 30 minutes. The plasma peak was observed at 1.33 h with a plasma concentration of 21.2µg/ml. The bioavailability of the active was over 90%. Cefalexin was detected until 24 hours after the administration. The first urine specimen was collected within 2 to 12 hours with peak concentrations of cefalexin measured at 430 to 2758 µg / ml within 12 hours.

After repeated oral administration of the same dosage, twice a day for 7 days, plasma peaks occurred 2 hours later with a concentration of 20µg/ml. Over the treatment period concentrations were maintained above 1 µg/ml. The mean elimination half life is 2 hours. Skin levels were around 5.8 to 6.6 µg /g 2 hours after treatment.

5.3 Environmental properties

Not applicable.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Croscarmellose sodium

Silica, colloidal anhydrous

Magnesium stearate

Yeast dried

Biscuit flavour F07012

Ammonium glycyrrhizate

Macrogol 6000

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years

Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging: 48 hours.

Any divided tablet portions remaining after 48 hours should be discarded.

6.4. Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25 C

Divided tablets should be stored in the blister pack.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging

Polyvinylchloride blister heat sealed with an aluminium cover foil.

Pack sizes:

Cardboard box with 1 blister of 10 tablets

Cardboard box with 20 blisters of 10 tablets

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such products

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Ceva Animal Health Ltd

Unit 3, Anglo Office Park

White Lion Road

Amersham

Buckinghamshire

HP7 9FB

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

Vm 15052/4119

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

27 February 2009

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

June 2016

PROHIBITION OF SALE, SUPPLY AND/OR USE

Not applicable

14 June 2016