Brand: 4FLEAS PROTECTOR

Company: JOHNSON'S VETERINARY


FORMULATION: «spot-on» solution for topical administration on the back of the animals (also called pipettes, squeeze-ons, drop-ons, etc.)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT(S)*: PYRIPROXYFEN: (composition see below under recommended dose)

CHEMICAL CLASS of the active ingredient(s): JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOGUE


INDICATIONS: DOGS & CATS


PARASITES CONTROLLED* (spectrum of activity): Fleas

* Can be slightly different in some countries: read the product label!


RECOMMENDED DOSE*:

  • Cats & kittens > 1 month age: One 0.6 ml pipette (equivalent >10 mg/kg pyriproxyfen)
  • Dogs, small & puppies, 0.6 to 6 kg bw: One 0.6 ml pipette containing 12 mg pyriproxyfen (equivalent >2 mg/kg pyriproxyfen)
  • Dogs, medium, 6 to 15 kg bw: one 1.5 ml pipette containing 30 mg pyriproxyfen (equivalent to >2 mg/kg pyriproxyfen)
  • Dogs, large, 15 to 30 kg bw; one 3.0 ml pipette containing 60 mg pyriproxyfen (equivalent to >2 mg/kg pyriproxyfen)

* Can be slightly different in some countries: read the product label!


SAFETY

  • LD50 (acute oral) in rats: n.a. for the spot-on. >5000 mg/kg for pyriproxyfen
  • Estimated Toxicity Class according to the WHOU unlikely to present acute hazard (based on the LD50, learn more)

Suspected poisoning? Read the article on pyriproxyfen safety in this site.

You may be interested in the following articles in this site dealing with the general safety of veterinary products:


RESISTANCE PREVENTION

Risk of resistance? YES, low in fleas, mainly the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis.

So far there are no reports on flea resistance to pyriproxyfen. However, fleas have developed resistance to several other insecticides (e.g. carbamates, organophosphates and pyrethroids) and are certainly capable of becoming resistant to pyriproxyfen as well. Experience shows that prolonged and uninterrupted use of any insecticide against fleas bears the risk of resistance development.

Alternatives to prevent resistance through product rotation:

*F = effective against fleas; T = effective against ticks.

These alternative products may not be available in all countries, or may not be available as spot-ons.

Resistance of fleas to carbamates, organophosphates and pyrethroids is not uncommon in several countries, including the USA.

Learn more about resistance and how it develops.


MARKETING

Are the active ingredients of this product ORIGINAL* or GENERICS**?

  • Pyriproxyfen: GENERIC (introduced in the 1980s by SUMITOMO)

*Meaning that they are still patent protected and generics are not yet available
**Meaning that they have lost patent protection and may be acquired from manufacturers of generic active ingredients other than the holder of the original patent.

COUNTRIES where this product is marketed (maybe under another TM): UK
GENERIC BRANDS available? few

Click here to learn more about GENERIC vs. ORIGINAL drugs.


COMMENTS

4FLEAS PROTECTOR from JOHNSON'S VETERINARY is a generic flea spot-on for dogs and cats with generic pyriproxyfen.

Administered about every 3 months it prevents development of fleas, which stops the build up of a flea population  in the pet's environment, but only if all the dogs and cats in the same household are treated against fleas.

Pyriproxyfen (Nylar) is a veteran insect development inhibitor introduced in the 1980s (by SUMITOMO) scarcely used in pets. Its only effect is to stop development of flea eggs and larvae. It has no direct protective effect whatsoever against adult fleas. It should be used preventively, i.e. before the beginning of the flea season. When used in already infected animals it will take 4-5 weeks to clear the environment from fleas, thus it is recommended to combine it with a flea adulticide, at least at the beginning of treatment.

Topical products (mainly spot-ons and insecticide-impregnated collars) have some advantages over systemic products (mainly tablets for oral administration and injectables):

  • Most topical products kill or sterilize the parasites before they bite and suck blood on the pet, whereas systemic products kill or sterilize the parasites only after their blood meal.
  • Topical products cannot be vomited.
  • Spot-ons and collars are very convenient to administer.
  • There is a larger choice of topical products.

But topical products have also some disadvantages:

  • Topical products contaminate the pet's hair coat and it is advisable for children and also adults to avoid contact with the pet for several days after treatment.
  • Topical products may not control parasites in some parts of the pet's body (e.g. the ears, below the tail, between the legs, etc.), whereas systemic products reach the blood-sucking parasites through the blood wherever they are.
  • Efficacy of topical products may be reduced or shortened through exposure to dirt, sun, shampooing, washing, rain, baths, etc., whereas efficacy of systemic products is independent from these factors.

For an overview and a list of the most popular pet antiparasitics for flea, tick, lice and/or mite control click here.


DISCLAIMER

This article IS NOT A PRODUCT LABEL. It offers complementary information that may be useful to veterinary professionals and users that are not familiar with veterinary antiparasitics. 

Information offered in this article has been extracted from publications issued by manufacturers, government agencies (e.g. EMEA, FDA, USDA, etc.) or in the scientific literature. No guarantee is given on its accuracy, integrity, sufficiency, actuality and opportunity, and any liability is denied. Read the site's DISCLAIMER.

In case of doubt contact the manufacturer or a veterinary professional.