Moxidectin is a macrocyclic lactone with a broad spectrum of activity similar to ivermectin. It is effective against roundworms (gastrointestinal, respiratory, renal, in the skin, etc.) and, depending on the delivery form and the dosage also against a number of external parasites such as lice, mites and various myiasis. However, it is ineffective against tapeworms and flukes, and at the usual use recommendations it doesn't control fleas, stable flies, mosquitoes, horse flies, multi-host ticks (e.g. Amblyomma spp, Dermacentor spp, Haemaphysalis spp, Ixodes spp, Rhipicephalus spp, etc.) and several other external parasites.

Moxidectin is moderately used in livestock, mainly in pour-onsdrenches and injectables, and in oral pastes and gels for horses. Use in pets is scarce, only a few tablets and injectables. It is not used against agricultural or household pests

In the last years it has been increasingly used in some countries against cattle ticks (Boophilus = Rhipicephalus microplus) and horn & buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans). Against cattle ticks, both as an injectable (at 0.2 mg/kg) and as a pour-on (0.5 mg/kg) control is usually sufficient (>90%) but without knock-down effect, i.e. the treated animals need 7-10 days to become more or less tick free. Control of horn & buffalo flies is usually incomplete (<80%).

Unfortunately, resistance of gastrointestinal roundworms to all macrocyclic lactones in sheep, goats, cattle and horses is a major problem in numerous countries. Not so yet in pets, swine or poultry.

The table below indicates some usual dosing recommendations for moxidectin issued by manufacturers or documented in the scientific literature. They may not be approved in some countries.

Dosing recommendations for MOXIDECTIN
DOGS
Warning!: Tolerance and safety margin in dogs with the MDR-1 mutation (e.g. Collies) sensitive to ivermectin are higher for moxidectin than for ivermectin. However, for such dogs the recommended dose should not be exceeded. Dogs with the MDR-1 mutation treated with 90 mcg/kg moxidectin (30x the recommended dose) showed neurologocal symptoms.
Delivery Parasites Dose (against moxidectin-susceptible parasites)
Oral Dirofilaria immitis: microfilariae 3 mcg/kg monthly for prevention
Oral Demodex canis 0.4 mg/kg/day, during 50-80 days!
Oral Sarcoptes scabiei 0.2-0.25 mg/kg weekly during 3-6 weeks
Topical Gastrointestinal roundworms 2.5 mg/kg
Topical Crenosoma vulpis 2.5 mg/kg
Topical Capillaria aerophila 2.5 mg/kg
Topical Sarcoptes scabiei 2.5 mg/kg, rep after 4 weeks
Topical Demodex canis 2.5 mg/kg weekly until 2 consecutive negative skin scrapping at 4 weeks interval
Topical Otodectes cynotis 2.5 mg/kg, rep after 4 weeks
Topical Dirofilaria immitis: microfilariae 2.5 mg/kg monthly for prevention
Topical Dirofilaria repens microfilariae 2.5 mg/kg monthly for prevention
Topical Angiostrongylus vasorum 2.5 mg/kg
Subcutaneous Ancylostoma spp (prenatal prev.) 1 mg/kg on days 5 y 8 prior to birth
Subcutaneous Toxocara canis, (prenatal prev.) 1 mg/kg on days 5 y 13 prior to birth
Subcutaneous Sarcoptes scabiei 0.2-0.25 mg/kg weekly, during 3-6 weeks
Subcutaneous Dirofilaria immitis: microfilariae 0.17-0.27 mg/kg, prevention for 12 months
CATS
Delivery Parasites Dose (against moxidectin-susceptible parasites)
Topical Gastrointestinal roundworms 0.5 mg/kg
Topical Dirofilaria immitis: microfilariae 1 mg/kg monthly for prevention
Topical Aelurostrongylus abstrusus 1 mg/kg
Topical Otodectes cynotis 1 mg/kg, rep after 4 weeks
CATTLE
Delivery Parasites Dose (against moxidectin-susceptible parasites)
Topical Roundworms 0.5 mg/kg
Topical External parasites 0.5 mg/kg
Oral Roundworms 0.2 mg/kg
Subcutaneous Roundworms 0.2 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
Subcutaneous Hypoderma spp 0.1-0.4 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
Subcutaneous Mites 0.2 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
Subcutaneous Sucking lice 0.2 mg/kg; ; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
SHEEP  
Delivery Parasites  Dose (against moxidectin-susceptible parasites)
Oral Roundworms 0.5 mg/kg
Subcutaneous Roundworms 0.2 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
Subcutaneous Oestrus ovis 0.2 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
Subcutaneous Mites 0.2 mg/kg; at 1 mg/kg longer protection
HORSES
Delivery Parasites  Dose (against moxidectin-susceptible parasites)
Oral Gastrointestinal roundworms
0.4 mg/kg
Oral Small strongyles (Cyathostomins) Prevention: 0.4 mg/kg every 12 weeks
Oral Strongylus vulgaris, (larva migrans) 0.3-0.5 mg/kg
Oral Dictyocaulus arnfieldi 0.4 mg/kg
Oral Gasterophilus spp (larvae) 0.4-0.5 mg/kg
Oral Onchocerca cervicalis 0.3-0.5 mg/kg

DISCLAIMER: Liability is denied for any possible damage or harm to persons, animals or any other goods that could follow the transmission or use of the information, data or recommendations in this site by any site visitor or third parties.

In most finished products, efficacy and safety depend not only on the amount of active ingredient(s) but also on their formulations (i.e. the type and amount of so-called inert ingredients), particularly in injectables and in topical pour-ons and spot-ons. These inert ingredients can significantly affect the pharmacokinetic behavior (e.g. absorption through the skin or from the injection site, distribution within the body, spreading throughout the body surface, etc.). Generic products usually contain the same amount of active ingredient(s) as the original product, but often in quite different formulations. In many cases, the curative (therapeutic) efficacy of the different formulations is quite comparable, but the protective (prophylactic) efficacy that determines the length of protection against re-infestations may be rather different.

Dosing recommendations for antiparasitics depend on national regulations. National regulatory authorities determine whether a product is approved for a given indication, i.e. use on a particular host at a specific dose and against a specific parasite. Check the labels of the products available in your country for specific information on approved indications.


  • Click here to view the technical summary of this active ingredient
  • Click here to view the safety summary of this active ingredient
  • Click here to view the list of all technical summaries of antiparasitic active ingredients in this site.