Canine and Feline Dewormers (Pyrantel Pamoate, Fenbendazole, Praziquantel — Therapeutic Index, Drug Interactions, Off-Target Toxicity) — pet safety profile
Moderate riskNot veterinary or professional safety advice, and not a substitute for a veterinarian — consult one about your animal. Full disclaimer →
Canine and feline dewormers — pyrantel pamoate (Strongid, Nemex; OTC for dogs), fenbendazole (Panacur, Safe-Guard; OTC for dogs and many small-animal species), and praziquantel (Droncit, Drontal — Rx; tapeworm-specific) — are among the safest veterinary drug classes when used at label dose.
What is this product?
Canine and feline dewormers — pyrantel pamoate (Strongid, Nemex; OTC for dogs), fenbendazole (Panacur, Safe-Guard; OTC for dogs and many small-animal species), and praziquantel (Droncit, Drontal — Rx; tapeworm-specific) — are among the safest veterinary drug classes when used at label dose. Pyrantel acts as a nicotinic-receptor agonist on parasite neuromuscular junctions with very limited mammalian absorption, yielding therapeutic indices >100. Fenbendazole is a benzimidazole that disrupts parasite microtubule polymerization; mammalian therapeutic index is wide (>100x label in most species), but bone-marrow suppression has been reported in pigeons, vultures, reptiles, and rare canine idiosyncratic cases. Praziquantel disrupts cestode tegumental calcium homeostasis; LD50 in dogs/cats >2,000 mg/kg vs label 5 mg/kg. The principal household risk profile is therefore not direct toxicity but (a) mis-identification of parasite class — pyrantel does NOT kill tapeworms (cestodes); (b) ivermectin co-administration in MDR1-mutant collies/Aussies/Shelties producing sensitization to subsequent ML-class drugs; (c) fenbendazole-induced acute hepatic necrosis in vultures and other Old-World birds (relevant to mixed exotic-pet households); and (d) dose-scaling errors when using livestock-grade fenbendazole (10% paste = 100 mg/g) in small household pets, where a single mis-measured gram can deliver 10× the canine label dose.
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Active Ingredient
Co Administered Drug
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