Pharmacokinetics

Distribution characteristics and favorable kinetic properties

Advocate^®/Advantage multi^® for dogs and cats is a low-volume topically-applied product containing two active ingredients – imidacloprid and moxidectin – in a unique spot-on formulation.

After topical application of the product, imidacloprid is rapidly distributed over the animal’s skin within one day of application. It can be detected on the body surface throughout the 28-day treatment interval.

Imidacloprid localizes in the lipid layer of the skin surface, which spreads not only over the surface of the skin but also onto the hair¹. Fleas do not need to bite a treated animal to be exposed to imidacloprid but absorb it across their intersegmental membranes¹. Trials have shown that Advocate is equally as effective as Advantage for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations².

The moxidectin component is absorbed transdermally following application. It reaches maximum plasma concentrations approximately 1 to 2 days after treatment in cats and 4 to 9 days post-treatment in dogs. Following absorption from the skin, moxidectin is distributed systemically and slowly eliminated from the plasma as indicated by detectable moxidectin concentrations in the plasma through the 28-day treatment interval.

References

1. Mehlhorn,H., Mencke. N., Hansen,O. "Effects of imidacloprid on adult and larval stages ofthe flea Ctenocephalides felis after in vivo and in vitro application: a light- and electron-microscopy study". Parasitol Res (1999) 85: 625 – 637.
2. Bayer Study No. 23023