Moxidectin/Praziquantel Oral Suspension (Anhydrous)
Moxidectin/Praziquantel is a compounded formulation containing Moxidectin, Praziquantel, prepared by Mixlab for veterinary use. Available by prescription.
How to Give Anhydrous Oral Suspension
Oral Suspension (Anhydrous) is a liquid medication that does not contain water in its base. This might be an oil-based or other special base to help stabilize the medicine. It will look like a regular liquid medication, but often needs a good shake because the drug can settle. Here's how to give it:
- Shake well each time to mix the medication (5-10 seconds).
- Measure the dose using the syringe/dropper provided or one recommended by your vet. Insert the top of the oral syringe into the bottle adapter. Turn the bottle upside down and pull the plunger until the medicine reaches the volume required
- Hold your pet steady: a towel or helper can assist with squirmy pets.
- Administer the dose slowly into the side of the mouth. Allow small pauses if needed for swallowing.
- Raise the head slightly to help the medication go down and clean any spills with a little water or tissue.
- Praise your pet and offer a treat or water (unless advised against feeding right after).
- Clean the syringe with water immediately after use. Store the bottle as directed, out of sunlight.
- Consistency is key: Shake each time, measure accurately, and contact your vet if any issues arise.
This compounded formulation combines moxidectin, a macrocyclic-lactone anthelmintic, with praziquantel, an anthelmintic (dewormer) — two different drug classes. In compounding practice, clinicians may consider a combination like this for a multi-targeted approach. Your veterinarian determines whether it is appropriate based on your animal's diagnostic findings.
At a pharmacological level, the components function through independent mechanisms to address parasitic colonization. Moxidectin is a second-generation macrocyclic lactone in the milbemycin family that acts by binding to glutamate-gated chloride channels in the parasite's nervous system. This binding increases chloride ion permeability, resulting in hyperpolarization of nerve cells, paralysis and the eventual death of the parasite. Praziquantel acts specifically on flatworms by increasing the permeability of the parasite’s cell membranes to calcium ions. This shift induces rapid, spastic contraction and vacuolization of the parasite's protective integument, causing tapeworms to detach from the intestinal wall. Your veterinarian will determine if this combination is appropriate based on the species, weight and results of diagnostic testing.
This description reflects the general pharmacology of the active ingredient's drug class; your veterinarian determines whether this approach is appropriate for your animal.
Prescription only. Use only under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. This information is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, prescribing or monitoring. Compounded drugs are not approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness.
Commonly observed effects of moxidectin/praziquantel administration include mild gastrointestinal changes such as loose manure, a temporary decrease in appetite or localized mouth irritation. In animals with significant parasitic burdens, owners may observe mild discomfort or swelling, which is often attributed to the physiological response to dying parasites rather than the medications themselves. Because moxidectin is highly lipophilic and stored in body fat, its processing can differ in animals with low body condition scores. If you observe significant physical distress, persistent lethargy or signs of an allergic reaction, contact your veterinarian promptly.
This medication is typically used with extra caution or avoided in foals under six months of age and in sick or debilitated animals. In certain dog breeds with a known genetic mutation (MDR1), macrocyclic lactones like moxidectin are associated with heightened neurological sensitivity, a factor your veterinarian will weigh if discussing its use in small animals. Before starting a protocol involving moxidectin/praziquantel, ensure your veterinarian has a complete history of all other supplements and prescriptions your animal is receiving. Your veterinarian is the right person to design a comprehensive monitoring plan and provide guidance on environmental management to ensure the management approach remains suitable for your animal's individual health status.
Yes. Moxidectin/praziquantel is a combination of prescription medications and can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy upon receipt of a valid authorization from a licensed veterinarian. Mixlab verifies all authorizations before any medication is prepared or shipped to your home or stable.
Yes. While individual components may be available in various commercial formats, Mixlab can compound this specific combination into specialized strengths or flavored dosage forms if your veterinarian determines a customized preparation better suits your animal's needs. The decision between a commercial and compounded product rests with the prescribing veterinarian.
Veterinarians discuss the addition of praziquantel because moxidectin is active against roundworms and bots but does not have activity against tapeworms. By combining the two, your veterinarian can address tapeworm burdens alongside other internal parasites in a single administration.
Veterinarians typically avoid using moxidectin in very young foals, usually those under six months of age and in miniature horses or ponies without precise weight measurements. Because moxidectin is stored in body fat, your veterinarian will also evaluate whether the medication is appropriate for animals with very low body condition scores.
