POM-VPS Prescription Required

Rycoben SC 2.50% w/v Oral Suspension for Sheep

Active ingredient: Albendazole Oxide

Form

Liquid

Species

Sheep

Manufacturer

Elanco Europe Ltd

VMD MA No.

00879/5087

What it's used for

Broad spectrum worm and fluke drench; For the control of adult and larval stages of benzimidazole-sensitive gastro- intestinal roundworms (Bunostomum, Chab...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Albendazole Oxide

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Rycoben SC 2.50% w/v Oral Suspension for Sheep — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

Broad spectrum worm and fluke drench;
For the control of adult and larval stages of benzimidazole-sensitive gastro-
intestinal roundworms (Bunostomum, Chabertia, Cooperia, Haemonchus,
Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, Strongyloides ),
tapeworms (Moniezia) and lungworms (Dictyocaulus ), and for the control of
adult liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and the treatment of chronic, but not acute,
fascioliasis in sheep.

Revised: December 2025
MA split from NI Expiry following AN: 02132/2025
Ovicidal to round worm eggs.
Also aids in the prevention of cobalt and selenium deficiency.

Do not mix with other products.
Administer orally using standard drenching equipment.
To ensure administration of a correct dose, body weight should be determined as
accurately as possible; accuracy of the dosing device should be checked.
Use the dose volume appropriate to the heaviest animals when treating on a group
basis.
Worm Dose:
Dosage: 5mg albendazole oxide* per kg bodyweight (1ml per 5kg bodyweight).
The dosage rates of trace elements are 0.75mg cobalt per kg and 0.08mg selenium
per kg bodyweight.

Revised: December 2025
MA split from NI Expiry following AN: 02132/2025
BodyweightDosageDoses per
litre
Up to 10kg2 ml50011–20kg4 ml25021-30kg6 ml16631–40kg8 ml12541–50kg10 ml10051-60kg12 ml8360-70kg14 ml71Over 70kg16 ml62
Dosing Programme:
Ewes and gimmers
Dose ewes 2-6 weeks before lambing and again soon after lambing. On heavily
stocked pastures, treatment at intervals of 3-4 weeks may be necessary until
autumn. Otherwise treat prior to tupping and at housing.
Lambs and hoggs
Lambs at risk from Nematodirus infection require dosing at 2 week intervals.
Otherwise treat lambs from 4-6 weeks of age and hoggs from late May at 3 week
intervals until autumn. Dose at weaning and move to clean pasture. If clean
pasture is unavailable, dose at 3-4 week intervals until sold, or until early winter.
Treat all bought-in sheep before allowing to mix with the flock. (N.B. Most
independent advice recommends the use of an avermectin (3-AV) containing
product at this time).
Fluke and Worm Dose:
Dosage: 7.5mg albendazole oxide* per kg bodyweight (1.5ml per 5kg bodyweight).
The dosage rates of trace elements are 1.125mg cobalt per kg and 0.12mg
selenium per kg bodyweight.

Revised: December 2025
MA split from NI Expiry following AN: 02132/2025
BodyweightDosageDoses per
litre
Up to 7kg2 ml5008-13kg4 ml25014-20kg6 ml16621-26kg8ml12527-33kg10 ml10034-40kg12 ml8341-46kg14 ml7147-53kg16 ml6254-59kg18 ml5560-66kg20 ml5067-73kg22 ml45Over 73kg24 ml41
Dosing Programme:
Dose all ewes 2-6 weeks before and soon after lambing to reduce pasture
contamination with roundworm eggs and control chronic fluke disease.
Dose all sheep in October/November and repeat at 4-6 week intervals until spring
for outwintered stock.

Ewes should not be treated at the fluke and worm dose during tupping and until one
month after the tups are removed.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Not recommended for use in cattle.

If you notice any side effects, or you think that the medicine has not worked, please
inform your veterinary surgeon.

Care should be taken to avoid the following practices because they increase the
risk of development of resistance and could ultimately result in ineffective therapy:
•
an extended period of time.
•
misadministration of the product, or lack of calibration of the dosing device
(if any).
Suspected clinical cases of resistance to anthelmintics should be further
investigated using appropriate tests (e.g. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test).
Where the results of the test(s) strongly suggest resistance to a particular
anthelmintic, an anthelmintic belonging to another pharmacological class and
having a different mode of action should be used.
Resistance to benzimidazoles has been reported in
Cooperia, and species in small ruminants. Therefore the use of
this product should be based on local (regional, farm) epidemiological information
about susceptibility of nematodes and recommendations on how to limit further
selection for resistance to anthelmintics.

i. Special precautions for use in animals
Shake container well before use.
For oral administration only.
The product should only be used in areas known to be deficient in cobalt
and selenium. Do not administer other cobalt and selenium supplements
concurrently unless specifically advised by your vet. If in doubt, consult a
veterinary surgeon.
Not to be diluted.

Revised: December 2025
MA split from NI Expiry following AN: 02132/2025
ii. Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals
Wash hands after use.
Avoid direct contact with the product.
In the case of accidental eye exposure, flush copiously with water for at least
15 minutes, holding the eye open, and seek medical attention.
In the event of accidental skin exposure, wash the affected area with soap
and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

None known

Store in tightly closed original container in a safe place.
Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze.
Store away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs.

Revised: December 2025
MA split from NI Expiry following AN: 02132/2025

Meat: Animals must not be slaughtered for human consumption during
treatment. Sheep may be slaughtered for human consumption only after
3 days from the last treatment.
Milk: Not for use in sheep producing milk for human consumption.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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