Rimadyl Small Animal Solution for Injection 50 mg/ml is a clear, pale yellow solution for injection, containing carprofen 50 mg/ml and benzyl alcohol 10 mg/ml as preservative.

In the dog, it is indicated for the control of post-operative pain and inflammation following orthopaedic and soft tissue (including intra-ocular) surgery. In the cat, it is indicated for the treatment of post-operative pain following surgery.

In the dog, the recommended dosage is 4 mg/kg (1 ml/12.5 kg) bodyweight, by intravenous or subcutaneous injection, best given pre-operatively, either at the time of premedication or induction of anaesthesia. To extend analgesia and anti-inflammatory cover post-operatively, parenteral therapy may be followed with Rimadyl Tablets at 4 mg/kg/day for up to 5 days.

In the cat, the recommended dosage is 4 mg/kg (0.24 ml/3 kg) bodyweight by subcutaneous or intravenous injection, best given pre-operatively at the time of induction of anaesthesia. In the cat, due to the longer half-life, and narrower therapeutic index, particular care should be taken not to exceed the recommended dose and the use of a 1 ml graduated syringe is recommended to measure the dose accurately.

Clinical trial evidence in dogs and cats suggests that only a single dose of carprofen is required in the first 24 hours peri-operatively; if further analgesia is required within this period, a single half-dose (2 mg/kg) of carprofen may be given to dogs (but not cats) as necessary.

Do not administer by intramuscular injection.

Do not exceed the stated dose or duration of treatment.

Do not administer other NSAIDs concurrently or within 24 hours of each other. Do not administer in conjunction with glucocorticoids.

Some NSAIDs may be highly bound to plasma proteins and compete with other highly bound drugs, which can lead to toxic effects.

Do not use in animals suffering from cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, where there is a possibility of gastro-intestinal ulceration or bleeding, or hypersensitivity to the product.

Typical undesirable effects associated with NSAIDs such as vomiting, soft faeces/diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, loss of appetite and lethargy have been reported. These adverse reactions are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal. If adverse reactions occur, use of the product should be stopped and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought. As with other NSAIDs there is a risk of rare idiosyncratic renal or hepatic adverse events. Rarely reactions at the injection site may be observed following subcutaneous injection.

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).

Use in any animal less than 6 weeks of age, or in aged animals may involve additional risk. If such use cannot be avoided, animals may require a reduced dosage and careful clinical management.

Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of increased renal toxicity.

Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided.

NSAIDs can cause inhibition of phagocytosis and hence in the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial infection, appropriate concurrent antimicrobial therapy should be instigated.

In the absence of any specific studies in pregnant target animals, such use is not indicated.

There is no specific antidote for carprofen overdosage but general supportive therapy as applied to clinical overdosage with NSAIDs should be applied.

Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wash off any splashes immediately with clean, running water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection. If accidental self-injection occurs, seek medical advice immediately.

Store in a refrigerator (2 – 8°C). Do not freeze.

Once broached, the product is stable for use at temperatures up to 25°C for 28 days.

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste material from such veterinary medicinal product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

For animal treatment only.

20 ml multidose amber glass vials.

Both carprofen and warfarin may be bound to plasma proteins. Limited evidence indicates that binding is at different sites, thus enabling concurrent use, but the situation must be monitored carefully.