| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| (10E,14E,16E,22Z)-(1R,4S,5′S,6R,6′S,8R,13R,20R,21R,24S)-6′- |
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| Clinical data | |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
| Pregnancy cat. | ? |
| Legal status | ? |
| Routes | oral, subcutaneous, topical |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 113507-06-5 |
| ATCvet code | QP54AB02 |
| ChemSpider | 16736424 |
| UNII | NGU5H31YO9 |
| KEGG | D05084 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C37H53NO8 |
| Mol. mass | 639.819 g/mol |
| SMILES | eMolecules & PubChem |
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Moxidectin (Milbemycin B[1]) is a parasiticide used for the prevention and control of heartworm and intestinal worms, and can be found in treatments prescribed for animals such as dogs, cats, horses, cattle and sheep. It is also used for the prevention of red mite in caged birds. Application methods for moxidectin vary by treatment, and include oral, topical, and injectable solutions. Cydectin Pour On is a trade name for a formualtion for use on cattle and red deer.
Moxidectin is a semisynthetic derivative of nemadectin (Asato & France 1990) which is produced by fermentation by Streptomyces cyano-griseus. This Streptomyces was discovered in a soil sample from Australia in the late 1980s collected by an agronimist working for the American Cyanamid company.
Moxidectin treats and controls some of the most common internal and external parasites by selectively binding to parasites’ glutamate-gated chloride ion channels. These channels are vital to the function of invertebrate nerve and muscle cells; when moxidectin binds to the channels, it disrupts neurotransmission, resulting in paralysis and death of the parasite.
Studies of moxidectin show that side effects vary by animal and may be affected by the product’s formulation, application method and dosage. The products are usually recommended by a veterinarian in order to ensure correct use and application. Herding dogs may be avermectin-sensitive, but avermectin sensitive dogs can tolerate standard doses for heartworm prevention. Moxidectin is apparently safe for collie breeds. As a heartworm preventative, moxidectin can be injected once every 6 months under the brand name Proheart6, or every 12 months under the brand name Proheart SR 12.
Moxidectin is the subject of a trial to assess its suitability, as an alternative to ivermectin, to treat onchocerciasis in humans.[2]