Felpreva

Felpreva is a spot-on solution available in an applicator, already filled with the correct amount of medicine needed to treat one cat (3 sizes of applicators are available, for different cat weights). The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.

The contents of the applicator are applied onto the cat’s skin, after parting the fur on the back of its neck at the base of its head.

Felpreva is given as a single treatment for roundworms, tapeworms, fleas, ticks and mites. For lungworms, treatment with Felpreva should be followed two weeks later with a treatment containing emodepside and praziquantel only in a fixed combination.

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

The three active substances in Felpreva interact with different parts of the parasites. Tigolaner interferes with certain receptors in the nervous system of ticks, fleas and mites, whereas emodepside interferes with receptors in the nervous system of roundworms, resulting in their subsequent paralysis and death. Praziquantel damages the skin-like outer layer of tapeworms, leading to their paralysis and death.

The effectiveness of Felpreva was investigated in both laboratory studies and field studies carried out in different locations across Europe.

Flea and tick infestations

In a field study in several EU countries, 323 cats with flea and/or tick infestations were either given a single treatment with Felpreva or a comparator spot-on medicine containing fluralaner. The study showed that Felpreva was as effective as the comparator medicine and reduced the number of fleas or ticks on cats by at least 90% for up to 13 weeks after treatment.

Ear mite infestations

In a field study in 2 European countries, 148 cats diagnosed with ear mites were given a single dose of Felpreva or a comparator product (containing the medicines selamectin and sarolaner). At the end of the study all cats were cured in both treatment groups.

In another field study with 20 cats diagnosed with notoedric mange (caused by Notoedres cati mites), treatment with a single dose of Felpreva led to a 100% reduction in the number of mites.

Roundworms and tapeworms

A field study was carried out in five European countries to demonstrate the effectiveness of Felpreva against roundworms and tapeworms compared with another medicine containing eprinomectin and praziquantel. In this study 195 cats naturally infected with tapeworms, intestinal roundworms or feline lungworms were treated and it was shown that both medicines are almost 100% effective against roundworms and lungworms and 100% effective against tapeworms.

Further studies were previously conducted with the medicine Profender containing two of the three active substances of Felpreva, which was shown to be almost 100% effective against tapeworms, intestinal roundworms and lungworms.

The most common side effects with Felpreva (which may affect more than 1 in 10 animals) are cosmetic effects such as a temporary spiking of the hair at the application site. Mild and transient reactions at the application site as well as digestive tract (gut) disorders may occur in very rare cases.

For the full list of side effects and restrictions of Felpreva, see the package leaflet.

Safety information has been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet for Felpreva, including the appropriate precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and animal owners or keepers, in particular for pregnant women and children.

If the product is accidentally swallowed by a person, the advice of a doctor should be sought immediately.

In case of skin or eye contact the affected area should be rinsed/flushed immediately with water.

Pregnant women should wear gloves when applying the medicine to avoid direct contact with it. They should also avoid contact with the site of application. Children should be kept away from treated animals during the first 24 hours after application of the product and until the treated area is no longer noticeable.

For the full list of precautions, see package leaflet.

The European Medicines Agency decided that Felpreva’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Felpreva received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 11 November 2021.