MORANTEL TARTRATE
Chemistry - A tetrahydropyrimidine anthelmintic, morantel tartrate occurs as a practically odorless, off-white to pale yellow, crystalline solid that is soluble in water. It has a melting range of 167-171°C. The tartrate salt is equivalent to 59.5% of base activity.
Morantel is slower than pyrantel in its onset of action, but is approximately 100 times as potent.
Contraindications/Precautions - There are no absolute contraindications to using this drug. Thesustained-release oral cartridges (Paratect®) are not to be used in cattle weighing less than 90 kg.
Morantel is considered to be generally safe to use during pregnancy.
Chronic toxicity studies have been conducted in cattle and sheep. Doses of 4 times recommendedwere given to sheep with no detectable deleterious effects. Cattle receiving 2.5 times recommendeddose for 2 weeks showed no toxic signs.
Because of similar mechanisms of action (and toxicity), morantel is recommended not to be usedconcurrently with pyrantel or levamisole.
Observation for adverse effects should be intensified if used concomitantly with anorganophosphate or diethylcarbamazine.
Piperazine and morantel have antagonistic mechanisms of action; do not use together.
Do not add to feeds containing bentonite.
Storage, Stability, Compatibility
Morantel tartrate products should be stored at room temperature (15-30°C) unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer.Pharmacology - MORANTEL TARTRATE
Like pyrantel, morantel acts as depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent insusceptible parasites, thereby paralyzing the organism. The drug possesses nicotine-like propertiesand acts similarly to acetylcholine. Morantel also inhibits fumarate reductase in Haemonchus spp..Morantel is slower than pyrantel in its onset of action, but is approximately 100 times as potent.
Uses, Indications
Morantel is indicated (labeled) for the removal of the following parasites incattle: Mature forms of: Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Nematodirusspp., Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum. It is also used in other ruminant species.Pharmacokinetics - MORANTEL TARTRATE
After oral administration, morantel is absorbed rapidly from the upper abomasum and small intestine. Peak levels occur about 4-6 hours after dosing. The drug is promptlymetabolized in the liver. Within 96 hours of administration, 17% of the drug is excreted in the urineand the remainder in the feces.Contraindications/Precautions - There are no absolute contraindications to using this drug. Thesustained-release oral cartridges (Paratect®) are not to be used in cattle weighing less than 90 kg.
Morantel is considered to be generally safe to use during pregnancy.
Adverse Effects, Warnings
At recommended doses, adverse effects are not commonly seen. Formore information, see Overdosage section below.Overdosage, Acute Toxicity
Morantel tartrate has a large safety margin. In cattle, dosages of upto 200 mg/kg (20 times recommended dose) resulted in no toxic reactions. The LD50 in mice is 5g/kg. Symptoms of toxicity that might possibly be seen include increased respiratory rates, profusesweating (in animals able to do so), ataxia or other cholinergic effects.Chronic toxicity studies have been conducted in cattle and sheep. Doses of 4 times recommendedwere given to sheep with no detectable deleterious effects. Cattle receiving 2.5 times recommendeddose for 2 weeks showed no toxic signs.
Drug Interactions
Paratect® cartridges should not be administered with mineral bullets asdecreased anthelmintic efficacy can result.Because of similar mechanisms of action (and toxicity), morantel is recommended not to be usedconcurrently with pyrantel or levamisole.
Observation for adverse effects should be intensified if used concomitantly with anorganophosphate or diethylcarbamazine.
Piperazine and morantel have antagonistic mechanisms of action; do not use together.
Do not add to feeds containing bentonite.