Uses
For use in male pigs (from 8 weeks of age) to induce antibodies against GnRF to produce a temporary immunological suppression of testicular function. For use as an alternative to physical castration for the reduction of boar taint caused by the key boar taint compound androstenone, in entire male pigs following the onset of puberty.
Another key contributor to boar taint, skatole, may also be reduced as an indirect effect. Aggressive and sexual (mounting) behaviours are also reduced.
The onset of immunity (induction of anti-GnRF antibodies) can be expected within 1 week following the second vaccination. Reduction of androstenone and skatole levels has been demonstrated from 4 to 6 weeks post second vaccination. This reflects the time needed for clearance of boar taint compounds already present at the time of vaccination as well as the variability of response between individual animals. Reduction of aggressive and sexual (mounting) behaviours can be expected from 1 to 2 weeks post second vaccination.
Dosage and administration
For subcutaneous use.
Entire male pigs from 8 weeks of age onwards should be vaccinated with 2 doses of 2 ml at least 4 weeks apart, with the second dose given 4 to 6 weeks prior to slaughter. If slaughter is intended to be later than 10 weeks after the second dose a third dose should be given 4 to 6 weeks before the planned slaughter date. In case of suspected misdosing, the animal should be revaccinated immediately.
Administer by subcutaneous injection in the neck, immediately behind the ear, using a safety vaccinator with a short needle to give 12 to 15 mm penetration. To avoid intramuscular deposition and lesions, it is recommended to use a shorter needle to give 5 mm to 9 mm penetration in undersized pigs and pigs younger than 16 weeks of age. Note that when using a safety vaccinator part of the needle will be covered by the needle guard and will not penetrate the pig. Depending on the type of safety vaccinator, pressure may also be put on the skin to push the needle a few millimetres deeper into the tissue. The circumstances should be taken into account when choosing an appropriate needle length. The needle should be directed perpendicular to the skin surface. Avoid introduction of contamination. Avoid injecting pigs that are wet and dirty.
Contra-indications, warnings, etc
Do not use in female pigs. Do not use in male pigs intended for breeding.
Accidental injection of male breeding stock may affect subsequent fertility.
Only healthy animals should be immunised. Improvac has been shown to be safe in male pigs from 8 weeks of age onwards. The recommended time for slaughter is 4 to 6 weeks after the second injection. If pigs cannot be slaughtered within this recommended period the available trial data support that pigs may still be sent for slaughter up to 10 weeks after the second injection with minimal risk of boar taint. An increasing proportion will return to normal function after this time.
As skatole levels are not fully dependent on sexual status, both dietary and hygiene management procedures to reduce skatole levels are also important.
When administered to pigs at the youngest recommended age (8 weeks), injection site swellings of up to 4 x 8 cm are very commonly observed. A gradual resolution of the local reactions occurs, but in 20-30% of the animals these may persist for more than 42 days. A transient increase in rectal temperature (post-vaccination hyperthermia) of around 0.5°C may be observed during the 24 hour period post vaccination.
When administered to older pigs (14 - 23 weeks of age) injection site swellings ranging from 2 to 5 cm in diameter are commonly observed, and injection site reactions at slaughter are commonly observed if the second vaccination is given only 4 weeks before slaughter.
In very rare cases, anaphylactoid type reactions (dyspnoea, collapse, cyanosis and hypersalivation associated with or without muscle twitching or emesis) have been observed within a few minutes after the first vaccination with duration up to 30 minutes. In a small number of animals, death occurred following the reaction, however most animals recovered without treatment and did not appear to react to subsequent vaccinations.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
-very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
-common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated
-uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
-rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
-very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Administration of a double dose of Improvac (4 ml) to 8 week old piglets very commonly resulted in palpable injection site reactions. The largest reactions were seen around 7 days post administration when the maximum size was 13 x 7 cm. By two weeks post administration the maximum size had decreased to 8 x 4 cm, showing a gradual resolution of the local reactions. A transient increase in body temperature of 0.2 to 1.7°C was observed during the 24 hours after administration, returning to normal after two days. The general health of the animals was not affected.
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product.
Operator Warnings
Accidental self-injection may produce similar effects in people to those seen in pigs. These may include a temporary reduction in sexual hormones and reproductive functions in both men and women and an adverse effect on pregnancy. The risk of these effects occurring is greater after a second or subsequent accidental injection than after a first injection.
Special care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection and needle stick injury when administering the product. The product must only be used with a safety vaccinator which has a dual safety system providing both a needle guard and a mechanism to prevent accidental operation of the trigger.
The product must not be administered by pregnant women or those who may be pregnant. In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with copious amounts of water. In case of skin contact, wash immediately with soap and water.
Advice to the user in the event of accidental self-injection:
Accidental injection/self-injection may result in severe pain and swelling, particularly if injected into a joint or finger, and in rare cases could result in the loss of the affected finger if prompt medical attention is not given.
In the event of accidental self-injection, wash the injury thoroughly with clean running water. Seek prompt medical advice even if only a very small amount is injected and take the package leaflet with you. If pain persists for more than 12 hours after medical examination, seek medical advice again. Do not administer the product in the future.
Advice to the physician:
Accidental self-injection could temporarily affect reproductive physiology of both men and women and may adversely affect pregnancy. If self injection with Improvac is suspected, reproductive physiology should be monitored by assay of testosterone or oestrogen levels (as appropriate). The risk of a physiological effect is greater after a second or subsequent accidental injection than after a first injection. Clinically meaningful suppression of gonadal function should be managed with supportive endocrine replacement therapy until normal function returns. The patient should be advised not to administer Improvac and/or any other products with similar action in the future.
Even if small amounts have been injected, accidental injection with this product can cause intense swelling, which may, for example, result in ischaemic necrosis and even the loss of a digit. Expert, PROMPT, surgical attention is required and may necessitate early incision and irrigation of the injected area, especially where there is involvement of finger pulp or tendon.
Withdrawal period
Zero days.
Pharmaceutical precautions
Store and transport refrigerated (+2°C to +8°C). Do not freeze. Protect from light.
After first broaching with a sterile needle, the container may be returned to the refrigerator and then broached once more during the next 28 days, then discarded immediately after use.
For animal treatment only.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Legal category
Legal category:POM-V
Packaging quantities
Polyethylene vials containing 100 ml (50 doses) or 250 ml (125 doses). Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
For use in male pigs (from 8 weeks of age) to induce antibodies against GnRF to produce a temporary immunological suppression of testicular function. For use as an alternative to physical castration for the reduction of boar taint caused by the key boar taint compound androstenone, in entire male pigs following the onset of puberty.
Another key contributor to boar taint, skatole, may also be reduced as an indirect effect. Aggressive and sexual (mounting) behaviours are also reduced.
The onset of immunity (induction of anti-GnRF antibodies) can be expected within 1 week following the second vaccination. Reduction of androstenone and skatole levels has been demonstrated from 4 to 6 weeks post second vaccination. This reflects the time needed for clearance of boar taint compounds already present at the time of vaccination as well as the variability of response between individual animals. Reduction of aggressive and sexual (mounting) behaviours can be expected from 1 to 2 weeks post second vaccination.
Dosage and administration
For subcutaneous use.
Entire male pigs from 8 weeks of age onwards should be vaccinated with 2 doses of 2 ml at least 4 weeks apart, with the second dose given 4 to 6 weeks prior to slaughter. If slaughter is intended to be later than 10 weeks after the second dose a third dose should be given 4 to 6 weeks before the planned slaughter date. In case of suspected misdosing, the animal should be revaccinated immediately.
Administer by subcutaneous injection in the neck, immediately behind the ear, using a safety vaccinator with a short needle to give 12 to 15 mm penetration. To avoid intramuscular deposition and lesions, it is recommended to use a shorter needle to give 5 mm to 9 mm penetration in undersized pigs and pigs younger than 16 weeks of age. Note that when using a safety vaccinator part of the needle will be covered by the needle guard and will not penetrate the pig. Depending on the type of safety vaccinator, pressure may also be put on the skin to push the needle a few millimetres deeper into the tissue. The circumstances should be taken into account when choosing an appropriate needle length. The needle should be directed perpendicular to the skin surface. Avoid introduction of contamination. Avoid injecting pigs that are wet and dirty.
Contra-indications, warnings, etc
Do not use in female pigs. Do not use in male pigs intended for breeding.
Accidental injection of male breeding stock may affect subsequent fertility.
Only healthy animals should be immunised. Improvac has been shown to be safe in male pigs from 8 weeks of age onwards. The recommended time for slaughter is 4 to 6 weeks after the second injection. If pigs cannot be slaughtered within this recommended period the available trial data support that pigs may still be sent for slaughter up to 10 weeks after the second injection with minimal risk of boar taint. An increasing proportion will return to normal function after this time.
As skatole levels are not fully dependent on sexual status, both dietary and hygiene management procedures to reduce skatole levels are also important.
When administered to pigs at the youngest recommended age (8 weeks), injection site swellings of up to 4 x 8 cm are very commonly observed. A gradual resolution of the local reactions occurs, but in 20-30% of the animals these may persist for more than 42 days. A transient increase in rectal temperature (post-vaccination hyperthermia) of around 0.5°C may be observed during the 24 hour period post vaccination.
When administered to older pigs (14 - 23 weeks of age) injection site swellings ranging from 2 to 5 cm in diameter are commonly observed, and injection site reactions at slaughter are commonly observed if the second vaccination is given only 4 weeks before slaughter.
In very rare cases, anaphylactoid type reactions (dyspnoea, collapse, cyanosis and hypersalivation associated with or without muscle twitching or emesis) have been observed within a few minutes after the first vaccination with duration up to 30 minutes. In a small number of animals, death occurred following the reaction, however most animals recovered without treatment and did not appear to react to subsequent vaccinations.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
-very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
-common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated
-uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
-rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
-very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Administration of a double dose of Improvac (4 ml) to 8 week old piglets very commonly resulted in palpable injection site reactions. The largest reactions were seen around 7 days post administration when the maximum size was 13 x 7 cm. By two weeks post administration the maximum size had decreased to 8 x 4 cm, showing a gradual resolution of the local reactions. A transient increase in body temperature of 0.2 to 1.7°C was observed during the 24 hours after administration, returning to normal after two days. The general health of the animals was not affected.
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product.
Operator Warnings
Accidental self-injection may produce similar effects in people to those seen in pigs. These may include a temporary reduction in sexual hormones and reproductive functions in both men and women and an adverse effect on pregnancy. The risk of these effects occurring is greater after a second or subsequent accidental injection than after a first injection.
Special care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection and needle stick injury when administering the product. The product must only be used with a safety vaccinator which has a dual safety system providing both a needle guard and a mechanism to prevent accidental operation of the trigger.
The product must not be administered by pregnant women or those who may be pregnant. In case of eye contact, rinse immediately with copious amounts of water. In case of skin contact, wash immediately with soap and water.
Advice to the user in the event of accidental self-injection:
Accidental injection/self-injection may result in severe pain and swelling, particularly if injected into a joint or finger, and in rare cases could result in the loss of the affected finger if prompt medical attention is not given.
In the event of accidental self-injection, wash the injury thoroughly with clean running water. Seek prompt medical advice even if only a very small amount is injected and take the package leaflet with you. If pain persists for more than 12 hours after medical examination, seek medical advice again. Do not administer the product in the future.
Advice to the physician:
Accidental self-injection could temporarily affect reproductive physiology of both men and women and may adversely affect pregnancy. If self injection with Improvac is suspected, reproductive physiology should be monitored by assay of testosterone or oestrogen levels (as appropriate). The risk of a physiological effect is greater after a second or subsequent accidental injection than after a first injection. Clinically meaningful suppression of gonadal function should be managed with supportive endocrine replacement therapy until normal function returns. The patient should be advised not to administer Improvac and/or any other products with similar action in the future.
Even if small amounts have been injected, accidental injection with this product can cause intense swelling, which may, for example, result in ischaemic necrosis and even the loss of a digit. Expert, PROMPT, surgical attention is required and may necessitate early incision and irrigation of the injected area, especially where there is involvement of finger pulp or tendon.
Withdrawal period
Zero days.
Pharmaceutical precautions
Store and transport refrigerated (+2°C to +8°C). Do not freeze. Protect from light.
After first broaching with a sterile needle, the container may be returned to the refrigerator and then broached once more during the next 28 days, then discarded immediately after use.
For animal treatment only.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Legal category
Legal category:POM-V
Packaging quantities
Polyethylene vials containing 100 ml (50 doses) or 250 ml (125 doses). Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Shipping charges mainland GB zone1
| Value | Weight | Delivery Charge |
| Over £49.00 | Any Weight | FREE |
| Under £49.00 | No weight limit | £4.50 |
| Under £49.00 | Under 250 grams | £3.49 |
Most orders are despatched the same day and standard delivery is 3 to 5 working days from despatch. FAST Expedited options are available at extra cost - these usually arrive in 24-48hrs from dispatch but delays are possible during busy periods.
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Estimated "Usually shipped in" information is shown against most products
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We no longer send goods outside of the UK.
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Prescription items will be sent on receipt of a legally valid signed and dated prescription.
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Please ring us on 01833 641112 for more information.
Refrigerated Items
- Refrigerated lines Packaging Cost: Despatched with Woolcool Refrigerated Packaging for £7.50.
Wool cool keeps pharmaceutical products at fridge-like, ambient, or even freezing temperatures for up to 72 hours, and possibly longer depending on the contents and use of ice packs.
Important Delivery Information:
- Receipt Required: Someone must be available to receive the delivery. Woolcool packaging is designed for temperature-controlled goods, so parcels cannot be left unattended.
- Immediate Refrigeration: Upon receipt, refrigerate the contents immediately to ensure your food or medicine remains at the correct temperature.
- Failed Delivery Attempts: We are not responsible for the cost of replacements if a delivery attempt fails due to the absence of someone to receive it.
We want you to be completely satisfied with any purchase. If not any item* can be returned to us within 14 days of receipt for exchange or refund Please give us a ring for a returns number on 01833 641112 or alternatively email sales@hyperdrug.co.uk to obtain a returns number.
*Due to legal requirements medicines may not be returned except to correct an error in despatch or in response to an "official recall". If an item is believed to be faulty it should be returned for inspection and it may be necessary to forward it to the manufacturers for testing before replacements or refunds can be authorised. This does not infringe legal rights. Please contact our customer services for a "Returns Number" which must appear on the outside of the package or it will not be accepted. We advise customers to use an insured method of shipping and to retain proof of despatch. We may refuse returns on products specially obtained or manufactured to order. Items must be returned unsoiled and unused and sent adequately packed and carriage paid.
