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Posilac

This page contains information on Posilac for veterinary use.
The information provided typically includes the following:
  • Posilac Indications
  • Warnings and cautions for Posilac
  • Direction and dosage information for Posilac

Posilac

This treatment applies to the following species:
Company: Elanco US

Posilac (sometribove zinc suspension)

AH0225

Description

Sterile, prolonged-release injectable formulation of a recombinant DNA-derived bovine somatotropin analog in single-dose syringes each containing 500 mg of sometribove zinc.

USE: To increase production of marketable milk in healthy lactating dairy cows.

Posilac Caution

Federal law prohibits extra-label use of this drug to enhance food and/or fiber production in animals.

DOSAGE: Inject one syringe of Posilac every 14 days. Start during the 9th or 10th week (57-70 days) after calving and continue until the end of lactation.

ADMINISTRATION: Allow syringes to warm to room temperature (15° to 30° C; 59° to 86° F) before use.

INJECTION TECHNIQUE: Inject Posilac subcutaneously (under the skin). Recommended injection sites are the neck area, behind the shoulder or in the depression on either side of the tailhead (see diagrams below). Alternate between the cow’s left and right side on consecutive injections. Remove surface dirt from the injection site area before injecting. Inject entire contents of the syringe subcutaneously. Do not reuse syringes.

Inject directly into the deepest depressions on either side of the tailhead (marked “Yes”). Avoid the bone, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the tail and the rectal and anal muscles. Do NOT inject into the caudal fold (marked “No”) because this may invalidate USDA tuberculosis testing. Locate the caudal fold by raising the tail.

INJECTION SITES:

Tailhead Depression

Neck & Behind The Shoulder

Gather skin and inject between skin and muscle layers.

HUMAN WARNINGS: Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with Posilac with eyes and skin. Posilac is a protein. Frequent skin contact with proteins may produce an allergic reaction in some people. Always wash hands and skin exposed to Posilac with soap and water after handling. Clothing soiled with the product should be laundered before reuse.

For use in animals only.

Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Precautions and Side Effects

● Use in lactating dairy cattle only.

● Safety to replacement bulls born in dairy cows injected with Posilac has not been established.

● Avoid injecting within 2 weeks of slaughter to minimize injection site blemishes on carcass.

Nutritional Management: Cows injected with Posilac increase voluntary feed intake over several weeks following the start of supplementation. This increase occurs sooner for first lactation cows than for second lactation or older cows. The increased feed intake continues during supplementation and may continue through the dry period and the following early lactation. However, cows treated with Posilac tend to maintain lower body condition than untreated cows. This effect is more pronounced for second lactation or older cows.
- Feed diets formulated to meet or exceed the nutritional requirements recommended by the National Research Council. Consider milk yield, stage of lactation, and body condition when making dietary changes. Manage the feeding program to optimize milk yield and to have cows in appropriate body condition, particularly during late lactation and the dry period. Increasing the energy density of diets fed to cows treated with Posilac is normally not required. Avoid sudden dietary changes.

Reproduction: Cows injected with Posilac may have reduced pregnancy rates and increased days open. Have a comprehensive and ongoing herd reproductive health program in place on your dairy before using Posilac.

Mastitis: Cows injected with Posilac are at an increased risk for mastitis (visibly abnormal milk) and may have higher somatic cell counts. Have comprehensive mastitis management practices in place on your dairy before using Posilac.

General Health: Cows injected with Posilac may require more therapeutic drug treatment for mastitis and other health problems. Cows injected with Posilac may experience periods of increased body temperature unrelated to illness. To minimize the effect, take appropriate measures during periods of high environmental temperature to reduce heat stress. Use care to differentiate whether increased body temperature is caused by illness or use of Posilac. Cows injected with Posilac may have more enlarged hocks and disorders of the foot region. Posilac treatment may reduce hemoglobin and hematocrit values.

Injection Site Reactions: A mild temporary swelling of 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) in diameter may occur at the injection site beginning about 3 days after injection and may persist up to 6 weeks following injection. Larger swellings may occur in cows injected in the neck area compared to the behind the shoulder or in the depression on either side of the tailhead. Some cows may experience swellings up to 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter that remain permanent but are not associated with animal health problems. However, if permanent blemishes are objectionable to you, stop supplementation of these cows. Also stop using Posilac in cows with injection site swellings that repeatedly open and drain.

Udder Edema: Posilac is approved for use starting during the 9th or 10th week of lactation. Risk of udder edema may increase if injections start later in lactation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

● Milk production response during each 14-day injection period is cyclic and will be greatest during the middle of each period.

● There is no milk discard or preslaughter withdrawal period.

Storage

Store under refrigeration (2° to 8° C; 36° to 46° F). DO NOT FREEZE. Allow syringes to warm to room temperature (15° to 30° C; 59° to 86° F) before use. Avoid prolonged exposure to excessively high temperature and sunlight. Expiration dates are stated on syringes and box labeling.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY: Dispose of used syringes in a leak-resistant, puncture-resistant container in accordance with applicable Federal, state, and local regulations.

How Supplied

Single-dose syringes in 25 or 100 count boxes.

NADA# 140-872 Approved by FDA

Manufactured by Elanco US Inc., Greenfield, IN 46140 U.S.A.

Questions or comments, please call 1-800-233-2999

Posilac, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company or its affiliates.

Revised December 2017.

PA100765X

CPN: 1131067.0

ELANCO US, INC.
Distributed by ELANCO ANIMAL HEALTH
2500 INNOVATION WAY, GREENFIELD, IN, 46140
Main Switchboard:   317-433-4800
Customer Service:   317-276-1262
Small Animal Product Customer Service:   888-545-5973
Technical Services:   800-428-4441
Fax:   317-276-2270
Website:   www.elanco.com
Email:   elanco@elanco.com
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the Posilac information published above. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the US product label or package insert.

Animalytix

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