Ataxxa

Ataxxa KRKA is available as a spot-on solution for local cutaneous application, packaged in easy-to-use single-dose pipettes. The Ataxxa pipette is available in several concentrations, tailored to different weight categories of dogs. 

Available options include pipettes for dogs weighing under 4 kg, for dogs weighing between 4 and 10 kg, and for dogs weighing between 10 and 25 kg or over, using larger-volume pipettes.

Ataxxa for dogs is recommended in the following situations:

• treatment of active flea infestation (Ctenocephalides felis);
• prevention of re-infestation with fleas for approximately four weeks;
• control of flea-induced allergic dermatitis, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan;
• control of infestations with ticks of the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus;
• reducing the risk of bites from sand flies and mosquitoes.

Ataxxa is applied exclusively to the dog’s intact skin as a topical spot-on treatment. The minimum recommended dose is 10 mg imidacloprid/kg body weight and 50 mg permethrin/kg body weight.

Treatment is usually repeated at intervals of approximately four weeks, depending on the degree of parasite infestation. 

Ataxxa must not be administered to puppies under 7 weeks of age or those weighing less than 1.5 kg, due to a lack of safety data. 

Furthermore, the product must not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity to imidacloprid, permethrin or any of the excipients.

The solution must be applied directly to the skin, avoiding contact with the animal’s eyes or mouth. After application, accidental ingestion through licking must be prevented, both by the treated animal and by other animals in the household.

Before using the product on sick or debilitated animals, or during pregnancy or lactation, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

In rare cases, local reactions may occur at the application site, such as pruritus, erythema, desquamation, oedema or temporary hair loss.

Occasionally, transient behavioural changes may occur, including restlessness, agitation or vocalisation. In very rare cases, gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation) or neurological signs such as tremor, unsteady gait or muscle spasms may be observed, particularly in breeds sensitive to permethrin. 

In general, Ataxxa does not interact significantly with other medicines or food, as it acts locally on the skin. 

However, concurrent use with other topical antiparasitic products should only be carried out on the advice of a vet, to avoid potential cumulative adverse reactions.

Safety studies have shown that the product is well tolerated even at doses higher than the therapeutic dose. However, accidental ingestion of the product may cause transient vomiting and neurological symptoms such as tremors or lack of coordination.

In such cases, treatment is symptomatic, as there is no specific antidote for permethrin or imidacloprid poisoning.

Ataxxa must be kept in its original packaging, in a dry place protected from light, to maintain the stability of the active substances. The product must be stored at moderate temperatures and kept out of the reach of children and animals. Furthermore, the pipettes must be used immediately after opening to prevent evaporation or contamination of the solution.

• PubMed, Evaluation of the long-term efficacy and safety of a polymeric matrix collar containing 10% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin (Seresto®) in dogs and cats naturally infested with fleas and/or ticks, in multicentre field clinical trials conducted in Europe
• ScienceDirect, The inhibitory effect of a combination of imidacloprid and permethrin on blood feeding by mosquitoes on dogs kept outdoors
• ScienceDirect, Efficacy of 65% permethrin applied to dogs as spot-on treatment against Phlebotomus perniciosus
• AVMA, Efficacy of imidacloprid in the elimination and control of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) in dogs