Chanhold

The medicine is available as a spot-on solution in 2 different concentrations (6% and 12%) and in tubes of various strengths (15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240 and 360 mg). It can only be obtained with a prescription. The contents of the tube are squeezed onto the skin after parting the fur at the base of the neck between the shoulder blades. This small volume of liquid is absorbed through the skin and has an effect throughout the animal’s body. The strength used and the number of administrations depend on the weight and species of the animal being treated, and the type of parasite. The package leaflet contains detailed information on dosage and duration of treatment.

For more information about using Chanhold, see the package leaflet or contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.

Chanhold contains selamectin, which is an antiparasitic medicine that belongs to the ‘avermectin’ class. Selamectin activates special proteins called ‘chloride channels’ on the surface of nerve and muscle cells of the parasite, allowing charged chloride particles to enter nerve cells and disrupting their normal electrical activity. This causes the paralysis or death of the parasites.

Studies on the benefits and risks of the active substance in the authorised uses have already been carried out with the reference medicine, Stronghold, and do not need to be repeated for Chanhold.

As for every medicine, the company provided studies on the quality of Chanhold. There was no need for ‘bioequivalence’ studies to investigate whether Chanhold is absorbed similarly to the reference medicine to produce the same level of the active substance in the blood. This is because the composition of Chanhold is comparable to the reference medicine and when applied to the skin, the active substance in both products is expected to be absorbed in the same way.

Because Chanhold is a generic medicine, its benefits and risks are taken as being the same as the reference medicine’s.

Safety information has been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet for Chanhold, including the appropriate precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and animal owners or keepers. The precautions are the same as for the reference medicine since Chanhold is a generic medicine.

The European Medicines Agency concluded that, in accordance with EU requirements, Chanhold has been shown to be comparable to Stronghold. Therefore, the Agency’s view was that, as for Stronghold, the benefit of Chanhold outweighs the identified risk and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Chanhold received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 17 April 2019.