Emodepside

Summary

Emodepside is a synthetic cyclic octadepsipeptide anthelmintic approved for veterinary use in dogs and cats to treat gastrointestinal nematode infections.

Mechanism of Action

Agonist of latrophilin-like G‑protein coupled receptors and activator of SLO‑1 potassium channels in nematodes, causing paralysis and death of the parasite.

Routes of Administration

Goals & Uses

• Treatment of strongyloidiasisAntiparasiticLow
• Overcoming anthelmintic resistanceAntiparasiticModerate
• Treatment of lymphatic filariasisAntiparasiticModerate
• Treatment of feline gastrointestinal nematodesAntiparasiticHigh
• Treatment of gastrointestinal nematodesAnthelminticHigh
• Treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness)AntiparasiticModerate

Contraindications

• Pregnancy (human investigational use)Reproductive SafetyHigh
• Pregnant or lactating animalsReproductiveModerate
• Severe hepatic impairment (human use)Organ ImpairmentModerate
• Hypersensitivity to emodepside or excipientsAllergyHigh
• Use in kittens under 8 weeks or cats under 0.5 kg (veterinary)Age/weight RestrictionHigh
• Known hypersensitivity to emodepside or formulation excipientsAllergyHigh

Adverse Effects

• Elevated liver enzymes (human trials)HepaticUncommon
• Headache, fatigue (human trials)GeneralCommon
• Neurological signs (ataxia, lethargy)NeurologicalRare
• VomitingGastrointestinalUncommonForceful expulsion of stomach contents
• AnorexiaMetabolicUncommon
• Transient skin irritation at application siteLocalCommon
• Transient salivation / hypersalivationGastrointestinalUncommon
• Application site reactions (erythema, pruritus)DermatologicCommon

Drug Interactions

• CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics)Moderate
• Other CNS depressants (e.g., phenobarbital)Moderate
• Other anthelmintics (e.g., ivermectin)Low
• P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, verapamil)Moderate

Population Constraints

• Cats with known P-gp deficiency (MDR1 mutation) — not applicable, but analogous concernVeterinary GeneticsRelative
• Kittens <8 weeks oldAgeAbsolute
• Pregnant women (human investigational)PregnancyRelative
• Lactating womenReproductiveRelative
• Puppies <4 weeks oldAgeAbsolute
• Patients with MDR1/ABCB1 mutationsPharmacogenomicsRelative
• Pediatric population (human use)PediatricsRelative

Regulatory Status

• European UnionApprovedApproved: treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs, treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in catsAuthorized under EU veterinary medicinal product regulations.
• United StatesApprovedApproved: treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs, treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in catsVeterinary product marketed as Profender (spot‑on).
• United KingdomApprovedApproved: treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in dogs, treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes in catsAvailable as prescription veterinary medicine.

Approved for veterinary use only; not authorized for human therapy. Marketed as topical spot‑on (Profender) and oral formulations.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.

Frequently Asked Questions