Vets and farmers are being reminded of the need to store medicines properly and ensure they are kept at the right temperature. Janssen Animal Health’s technical helpline say that many of the people contacting them about Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension (diclazuril) seem unaware of the need to keep the product in a frost-free environment.
It was identified some time ago that freezing leads to the active ingredient in Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension, diclazuril, coming out of suspension.1 If this previously frozen product is used subsequently the amount of active ingredient given may not be consistent, which could lead to both over- and under-dosing. The effects of freezing can be particularly acute at this time of year, as the lambing season gets underway and affected young lambs are treated with Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension that has been stored in unheated buildings over the winter. As the country had one of the coldest winters for many years in 2010, the problem may be even more relevant this spring.
References
1. The Veterinary Record, 146, 20, p.591 (2000)
Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension contains diclazuril 2.5mg/ml. Legal Category POM-VPS. Further information is available from Janssen Animal Health,
50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4EG Tel 01494 567555 Fax 01494 567556 Email: ahealth@its.jnj.com www.janssenanimalhealth.co.uk
Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible
Advice on the use of this or alternative medicines should be sought from the medicine prescriber.
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