Melarsomine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Melarsomine for dogs in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(mee-lar-soe-meen)
Description:
This medicine is a parasite-killing drug that contains arsenic.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Diroban®
- Immiticide®
Common Dosage Forms:
- This medicine may come as a vial containing 50 mg of powder that is mixed to make an injection liquid with a strength of 25 mg per mL.
Key Information
- This medicine is approved for dogs to treat heartworm disease.
- The side effects seen most often are soreness and swelling where the shot is given, coughing, breathing that is difficult, gagging, low energy, reduced appetite or not wanting to eat (anorexia), drooling more than usual, fever, and throwing up.
- After your dog receives this medicine, you must follow your veterinarian’s directions for strict rest. If your dog exercises, it can raise the chance of severe reactions related to treatment.
- All dogs need close watching for the full length of the treatment period.
How is this medication useful? Melarsomine for dogs
Melarsomine is given to treat heartworm disease in dogs. This medicine is approved only for dogs. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is the best fit.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your dog. Talk with your veterinarian about the items below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Make sure your veterinarian and pharmacist know about every product your dog receives, including medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your dog has now, and any your dog has had before.
- If your dog has been treated before for the same problem, explain what treatment was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your dog is pregnant or nursing, discuss with your veterinarian what risks may come with using this medicine.
- Let your veterinarian and pharmacist know about any past medicine-related problems your dog has had, such as allergic reactions, not eating, loose stool (diarrhea), vomiting, or being unusually tired (lethargy).
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine begins to act within minutes, but you may not be able to notice its effects. Heartworm treatment often uses more than one medicine, and it commonly takes a number of months for the full treatment to work.
The effects of this medicine last a medium amount of time, which means they may continue for several days. The helpful results may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any particular reasons for concern when using this medicine in your dog.
If your dog has any of the issues listed below, speak with your veterinarian about weighing possible risks against possible benefits.
- Dogs that have an allergy to melarsomine.
- Dogs with extremely serious heartworm disease.
- Dogs that are very small (for example, toy breeds).
- Dogs that are very ill or weak.
- Dogs that are pregnant, nursing, or intended for breeding.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If you notice the signs below, you usually do not need to be highly worried unless the signs are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Pain, swelling, and soreness where the injection was given
- Not wanting to move for a short time
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Drooling a lot and panting
- Fever, weakness, depression/low energy, not wanting to eat
- Coughing or gagging
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Pain that does not improve with medicine
- Very bad vomiting and/or heavy drooling
- Shaking or trembling (tremors), trouble standing steady or moving normally (ataxia), or acting unable to settle (restlessness)
- Panting or breathing that is shallow and difficult
- Urine that is dark or has blood in it
- Collapse
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
You will not be the person giving this medicine.
How should this medication be given?
- Only a licensed veterinarian, or a veterinary worker acting under a veterinarian’s supervision, should give this medicine.
- To finish treatment, this medicine must be given more than once. Make sure you clearly understand when your dog must return for the next injection.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you need to miss an appointment that was scheduled for an injection, call your veterinarian.
How should I store this medication?
Since this medicine is administered at the veterinary clinic, you will not need to keep it at home.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
Because this medicine is only given in the veterinary clinic, you will not be handling it.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
Because this medicine is administered in the veterinary clinic, you will not need to throw away any unused medicine.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Your dog must have exercise limited as your veterinarian instructs.
- Your veterinarian may also prescribe other medicines as part of the heartworm treatment plan and to help lower side effects. It is important to give those additional medicines exactly as directed.
- Your veterinarian will need to check your dog closely during treatment and after treatment. Do not skip these important follow-up visits.
- Some animal competitions may not allow use of this medicine. Before entering your animal in a competition while this medicine is being given, check the rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”