[Jacob-list] worming question.

[LBBDVM at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/18/2004 1:11:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time, ncd at mitre.org 
writes:
Lia, I have a follow-up worming question  regarding injectable
Ivermectin/1 percent.  Do you know why it is not labled for sheep
(labled for cattle and swine)?  Have you ever noticed transitory
pain/tissue swelling in s.c. invermetin in sheep?  What is the safety
margin in sheep?

Nick Donnangelo
Hi Nick,
Most drugs are only labeled in 1 (or maybe 2) species, and for a limited 
number of indications, for economic reasons.  It is very expensive to complete the 
required testing, and drug manufacturers know that it is not necessary.  They 
know that it will be picked up and used in research and other settings, and 
the results published in the veterinary literature so everyone can benefit from 
the experience.  It is known as "off-label" use when you use a drug for a 
different purpose, a different species, or a different dose that what is on the 
label.  This is absolutely legal, and absolutely necessary, because most drugs 
only have a narrow "label claim".  If off label use was illegal, we would have 
few, if any drugs to use in so called "minor species".  The FDA does have 
restrictions on off-label use in food producing animals, but ivermectin is OK.  
(BTW- never give ivermectin to a turtle)

As for pain and swelling, we often have a few sheep that seem gimpy the next 
day.  That should resolve within a day or 2.

Ivermectin is relatively safe in sheep, but try to guesstimate the weight as 
best you can.  From a practical standpoint, I've never seen a problem with 
toxicity.  That doesn't mean it can't happen.

Hope this helps,
Lia
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