Toltrazuril

 Chemical group:   Symmetrical triazintriones

Trade names:    Baycox (Bayer)

Mode of action:   It appears that toltrazuril interferes with the division of the nucleus and with the activity of the mitochondria and is coccidiocidal

Pharmacokinetics:   In piglets, toltrazuril is absorbed slowly by the gut, and is distributed through the body. The plasma half-life is 51 hours. Excretion is via the feces.

Dose:    10 to 30 mg/kg, PO, SID for 1 to 3 doses.

Toxicity:   In horses given 50 mg/kg SID for 10 days only mild clinical signs (i.e., anorexia, weight loss, and colic in one of the five horses) were observed after treatment.

Parasite Targets:   Coccidia: Eimeria spp., Isospora spp., Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii.

Selected references:   

Daugschies, A., Mundt, H.C. and Letkova, V. (2000) Toltrazuril treatment of cystoisosporosis in dogs under experimental and field conditions. Parasitology Research 86 (10), 797-799.

Rommel, M. Schnieder, T. Westerhoff, J. Krause, H. D. Stoye, M. The use of toltrazuril-medicated food to prevent the development of Isospora and Toxoplasma oocysts in dogs and cats. [Conference paper] Advances in protozoological research. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference of Hungary on protozoology, and Memorial Session for Jozsef Gelei (1885-1952), Budapest, Hungary, 3-6 September 1985. Akademiai Kiado,Budapest, Hungary: 1986. 445-449. 7 ref.

Rommel, M. Schnieder, T. Krause, H. D. Westerhoff, J. Trials to suppress the formation of oocysts and cysts of Toxoplasma gondi in cats by medication of the feed with toltrazuril. [Journal article] Veterinary Medical Review, German Federal Republic. 1987. 2, 141-153.

© University of Pennsylvania  2004

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