Emodepside and Praziquantel
Emodepside: N-methylated 24-membered cyclooctadepsipeptide; Praziquantel: Pyrazinoisoquinoline derivative
Also known as: Profender · EMBAY-8440 · praziquantelum
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment and control of hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm infections | Minimum dose is 3 mg/kg emodepside & 12 mg/kg praziquantel applied to the skin on the back of the neck as a single topical dose. If re-infection occurs, the product can be re-applied after 30 days. | topical | once | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
- Treatment and control of hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm infections: A second treatment should not be necessary unless re-infection occurs.
Reptiles
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parasitic infections (off-label) | 4 drops/100 g body weight | topical | once | Single dose | 🌎 NA |
- Parasitic infections (off-label): Aquatic species must be kept in a dry place for 48 hours after treatment. Caution is advised until further studies verify safety and efficacy, particularly in sick animals.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Emodepside/Praziquantel (commonly known by the brand name Profender®) is a broad-spectrum, topically applied antiparasitic combination primarily labeled for cats.
- Emodepside is a novel cyclooctadepsipeptide that provides excellent efficacy against nematodes (roundworms and hookworms).
- Praziquantel is a well-established isoquinoline-pyrazine derivative highly effective against cestodes (tapeworms).
Clinical Pearls:
- The topical formulation offers a significant advantage for feline patients that are difficult to pill, minimizing stress for both the pet and the owner.
- While labeled for cats, it has seen off-label use in exotic medicine, particularly in reptiles where oral dosing is challenging.
- Systemic absorption occurs transdermally; therefore, preventing the animal from licking the application site is crucial to avoid gastrointestinal upset and ensure proper dosing.
Mechanism of action
The combination utilizes two distinct mechanisms to eradicate parasites:
- Emodepside (Nematocide): Binds pre-synaptically at the neuromuscular junction to a latrophilin-like receptor → increases intracellular calcium and diacylglycerol → triggers fusion of vesicles containing inhibitory neuropeptides → releases PF1- and/or PF2-like receptors into the synaptic cleft → stimulates postsynaptic receptors. This cascade results in the profound inhibition of pharyngeal pumping and locomotion, leading to flaccid paralysis and death of the nematode.
- Praziquantel (Cestocide): Interacts with phospholipids in the parasite's integument → causes rapid intracellular ion fluxes (sodium, potassium, and calcium) → induces severe, irreversible tetanic contraction of the worm's musculature. At higher concentrations, it causes irreversible focal vacuolization and subsequent disintegration of the cestodal integument, making the parasite susceptible to the host's immune system.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Cats less than 8 weeks of age
- Cats weighing less than 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Adverse effects
- Application site reactions (alopecia, dermatitis, pyoderma, edema, erythema, pruritus)
- Salivation/hypersalivation (especially if licked)
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Agitation or nervousness
- Tremors or twitching
- Ataxia
- Eye or respiratory irritation
- Rare post-approval reports: facial swelling, rear leg paralysis, seizures, hyperesthesia, morphea-like (scleroderma) lesion
Precautions
Use with caution in sick, debilitated, or heartworm-positive cats. Safe use has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating queens (studies in laboratory animals suggest emodepside may interfere with fetal development). Do not apply to broken skin or wet hair coats. Prevent the patient or other animals from licking the application site for at least one hour.
Drug interactions
Emodepside is a P-glycoprotein substrate; concurrent use may cause pharmacokinetic interactions and potentially increase toxicity or alter efficacy.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (resolution of clinical signs, negative fecal flotation/sedimentation)
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Absorbed relatively rapidly through the skin into systemic circulation. Serum concentrations are detectable within 2 hours for emodepside and 1 hour for praziquantel. In reptiles, absorption varies based on skin thickness.
Distribution
Systemically distributed following transdermal absorption.
Metabolism
Not extensively detailed in the monograph; emodepside is known to be a P-glycoprotein substrate.
Elimination
Both active ingredients remain detectable for up to 28 days following a single topical treatment.
Overdose
Both drugs generally have a wide margin of safety.
- Topical Overdose: In 8-week-old kittens treated topically at 5X the recommended dose, transient salivation and/or tremors were observed but were self-limiting. In 7- to 8-month-old cats treated at 10X the dose, transient salivation, tremor, and lethargy occurred.
- Oral Exposure: Accidental oral ingestion (e.g., licking the application site) can cause salivation, vomiting, anorexia, tremors, abnormal respirations, and ataxia. These signs typically resolve without specific treatment.
- Praziquantel Toxicity: Parenteral doses of 50-100 mg/kg in cats caused transient ataxia and depression; injected doses of 200 mg/kg were lethal.
Available products
Formulations
- Topical solution
Veterinary
- Emodepside (1.98% w/w; 21.4 mg/mL) and Praziquantel (7.94% w/w; 85.8 mg/mL) Topical Solution in 0.35 mL (cats 2.2-5.5 lb), 0.7 mL (cats >5.5-11 lb), & 1.12 mL (cats >11-17.6 lb) tubes: Profender® (Bayer)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store product at or below 25°C (77°F); do not allow to freeze.
Client information
Important Application Instructions: Apply the solution directly to the skin at the base of the cat's neck/head. This location minimizes the chance of the cat licking the product off while grooming.
- Do not apply to broken skin or if the hair coat is wet.
- Prevent Licking: Do not allow the cat to lick the application site for at least one hour after application. Oral exposure can cause drooling, vomiting, and tremors.
- Multi-Pet Households: Keep treated animals separated from other pets for a short period to prevent them from grooming each other.
- Human Safety: Not for human use. Keep out of reach of children. Children should not touch the application site for 24 hours. Pregnant women, or women who may become pregnant, should avoid direct contact with the product or wear disposable gloves during application.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.