Forceris

Forceris is available as an injection and can only be obtained with a prescription. It is given as a single injection into the muscle behind the ear of piglets between 24 and 96 hours old. The injection should not be repeated.

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

Toltrazuril is an antiparastic medicine which interferes with the enzymes needed by coccidia parasites to produce energy. As a result it is able to kill the parasites at all stages of their development and prevent the symptoms of coccidiosis and the spread of infection.

The other active substance in Forceris, gleptoferron, is an iron-containing compound. Iron is an essential nutrient needed to make haemoglobin to transport oxygen in the blood, as well as certain key enzymes, and may be lacking in the diet of piglets raised under intensive farming conditions. Following injection into the muscle, gleptoferron is absorbed and broken down to release iron for use and/or storage depending on the nutritional need of the piglet. Excess iron is stored mainly in the liver.

In a field study performed in 3 EU countries and involving over 1,500 piglets, a single intramuscular injection of Forceris given at 24 to 96 hours of age was effective in preventing iron deficiency anaemia, reducing oocyst excretion and preventing diarrhoea associated with coccidiosis caused by the coccidia parasite Cystoisospora suis, in comparison with giving iron only (as gleptoferron) on the first day after birth.

Forceris must not be given to piglets suspected to have insufficient levels of vitamin E or selenium.

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

People who are hypersensitive (allergic) to iron compounds or toltrazuril should avoid contact with Forceris.

Skin and eye contact with Forceris can cause irritation and should be avoided. In case of skin or eye contact the affected area should be rinsed immediately with water.

Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection, which may cause local reactions such as irritation, granulomas, or severe anaphylactic (allergic) reactions in sensitive people. In case of accidental self-injection, medical advice should be sought immediately and the package leaflet or label shown to the doctor.

Forceris may be harmful for the unborn child. Pregnant women and women intending to conceive should avoid contact with the medicine, especially accidental self-injection.

Hands should be washed after using the medicine.

The withdrawal period is the time required after administration of a medicine before an animal can be slaughtered and the meat used for human consumption.

The withdrawal period for meat from pigs treated with Forceris is 70 days.

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

Forceris received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 23 April 2019.