Ponazuril
(poe-naz-yoor-ill)
Description: Antiprotozoal
Other names for this medication: Marquis®, toltrazil sulfone
Common dosage forms: Veterinary: Oral Paste (15%; 150 mg/g of paste) in 127-gram tubes. Human: None.
Do not miss any doses with this drug or it may not be effective.
•Can be given with or without food.
How is this medication useful?
Ponazuril can be used in horses to treat equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona. It may also be used to treat Neospora caninum, toxoplasmosis, or other protozoal infections in other species (eg, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, ruminants).
The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved this drug for use in horses to treat EPM. The FDA allows veterinarians to prescribe and use products containing this drug in different species or for other conditions in certain situations. You and your veterinarian can discuss why this drug is the most appropriate choice.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many things might affect how well this drug will work in your animal. Be sure to discuss the following with your veterinarian so together you can make the best treatment decisions.
•Other drugs can interact with this drug, so be sure to tell your veterinarian and pharmacist what medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) you give your animal, including the amount and time you give each.
•Tell your veterinarian about any conditions or diseases your animal may have now or has had in the past.
•If your animal has been treated for the same disease or condition in the past, tell your veterinarian about the treatment and how well it did or didn’t work.
•If your animal is pregnant or nursing, talk to your veterinarian about the risks of using this drug.
•Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medication side effects (including allergic reactions, lack of appetite, diarrhea, itching, hair loss) your animal has developed in the past.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medication should start having effects within 1 to 2 days; however, you will not see the effects of this medication outwardly. Your veterinarian will need to run further tests to determine if the medication is working appropriately.
The effects of this medication are moderate in duration, meaning they may last for a few days, although the benefits may be prolonged if your animal has decreased kidney and/or liver function.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No drug is 100% safe in all patients, but your veterinarian will discuss with you any specific concerns about using this drug in your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
•That are allergic to it.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
•Horses for the treatment of EPM until other conditions that cause incoordination, weakness, or stumbling (ataxia) are ruled out.
•Dogs that have dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca; KCS) or in dog breeds at risk for it (eg, cocker spaniels, West Highland white terriers, bulldogs, Lhasa apsos, shih tzus).
•Animals that are pregnant or nursing; safe use has not yet been established for either mothers or babies.
If your animal has any of these conditions, talk to your veterinarian about the potential risks versus benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
•Usually tolerated well by horses. Soft feces is the most common effect seen.
You don't have to be overly concerned if you see this effect unless it becomes severe, worsens, or continues to be a problem. Contact your veterinarian if this happens.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
•Horses: Blisters on mouth or nose, rash, hives, diarrhea, mild colic, seizures.
•Dogs: red eye(s), discharge from the eye, squinting.
If you see any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you witness or suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center for further advice. Animal poison control centers that are open 24 hours a day include: Pet Poison HELPLINE (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435); a consultation fee is charged for these services.
How should this medication be given?
For this medication to work, give it exactly as your veterinarian has prescribed. It’s a good idea to always check the prescription label to be sure you are giving the drug correctly.
•The drug may be given either with food or on an empty stomach. If your animal acts sick or vomits (in small animals) after getting it on an empty stomach, give with food or small treat to see if this helps. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
•Liquid forms of this medication must be measured carefully. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help by providing special measuring spoons or syringes.
•If you have difficulty getting your animal to take the medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for tips to help with dosing and reducing the stress of medication time.
•This medication can be given for various lengths of time. Be sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to continue giving this medication. Prescription refills may be necessary before the therapy will be complete. Before stopping this medication, talk to your veterinarian, as there may be important reasons to continue its use.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
It is important to not skip doses with this drug, but if you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give it at the next scheduled time. After that, return to the regular dosing schedule. Do not double-up or give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
•Store this medication in the original container at room temperature and protected from light.
•If your veterinarian or pharmacist has made (compounded) a special formulation for your animal, follow the storage recommendations and expiration date for the product.
•Keep away from children and other animals.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
•There are no specific precautions required when handling this medication unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after handling any medication.
•If your veterinarian or pharmacist has made (compounded) this medication and mixed it with DMSO, do not allow your skin to contact the medication.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
•Do not flush this medication down the toilet or wash it down the sink. If a community drug “take-back” program is available, use this option. If there is no take-back program, mix the drug with coffee grounds or cat litter (to make it undesirable to children and animals and unrecognizable to people who might go through your trash), place the mixture in a sealable plastic bag to keep it from leaking out, and throw the bag out with the regular trash.
•Do not save leftover medication for future use or give it to others to use.
What other information is important for this medication?
Use of this drug may not be allowed in certain animal competitions. Check rules and regulations before entering your animal in a competition while this medication is being administered.