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Diethylcarbamazine Citrate

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?

Diethylcarbamazine citrate is used for prevention of heartworm disease, and/or the treatment of roundworm infections in dogs and cats.

How do I give this medication?

Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. Read the label carefully.
Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed
DO NOT give more often than directed.
Try not to miss giving any doses. Give all doses as directed by your veterinarian.

What if I miss giving a dose?

Apply the dose as soon as possible. Contact your veterinarian if you have missed applying the dose by more than a few days. Do not apply two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

Potential Side Effects

Adverse effects are uncommon.
Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea may occur.
Stomach upset may occur. In this case, try giving the medication with food or soon after eating.
If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

Possible Drug Interactions

Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.
Quite often your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, even if a drug interaction may occur. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
The following drugs can potentially interact with diethylcarbamazine citrate: pyrantel, levamisole, and morantel.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

The Pet Health Library contains information on some of the most common medical problems of dogs and cats. This information is designed to assist pet owners in better understanding their pets' health problems.

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