Round mottled beige biconvex chewable tablets, scored on the upper side with embedded code either "M10" or "M25" on one side. The tablet can be divided into equal halves. One chewable tablet contains: Active substance: meloxicam 1 mg or meloxicam 2.5 mg.

For alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in dogs.

Initial treatment is a single dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first day, which can be given orally or alternatively using Metacam 5 mg/ml solution for injection for dogs and cats.

Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight.

Each chewable tablet contains either 1 mg or 2.5 mg meloxicam, which corresponds to the daily maintenance dose for a 10 kg body weight dog, or a 25 kg body weight dog respectively.

Each chewable tablet can be halved for accurate dosing according to the individual body weight of the dog. Metacam chewable tablets can be administered with or without food, are flavoured and are taken by most dogs voluntarily.

Dose scheme for the maintenance dose:

The use of Metacam oral suspension for dogs may be considered for an even more precise dosing. For dogs weighing less than 4 kg the use of Metacam oral suspension for dogs is recommended.

A clinical response is usually seen within 3-4 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 10 days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent.

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.

Do not use in dogs suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic disorders.

Do not use in dogs less than 6 weeks of age or less than 4 kg body weight.

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

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

This product for dogs should not be used in cats as it is not suitable for use in this species. In cats, Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats should be used.

Typical adverse drug reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, lethargy and renal failure have very rarely been reported from post-marketing safety experience. Very rare cases of haemorrhagic diarrhoea, haematemesis, gastrointestinal ulceration and elevated liver enzymes have been reported from post-marketing safety experience. These side effects occur generally within the first treatment week and 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, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the

following convention:

• very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reactions)

• 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).

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation.

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Metacam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids.

Pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such veterinary medicinal products should be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological properties of the products used previously.

In case of overdose, symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

People with known hypersensitivity to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children. For animal treatment only.

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

Cardboard boxes containing 7, 84 or 252 tablets in Alu/Alu child-resistant blisters. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Meloxicam is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class which acts by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-exudative and antipyretic effects. It reduces leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissue. To a minor extent it also inhibits collagen-induced thrombocyte aggregation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that meloxicam inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) to a greater extent than cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1).

Meloxicam is completely absorbed following oral administration and maximal plasma concentrations are obtained after approximately 4.5 hours. When the product is used according to the recommended dosage regime, steady state concentrations of meloxicam in plasma are reached on the second day of treatment.

There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range. Approximately 97 % of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins. The volume of distribution is 0.3 l/kg.

Meloxicam is predominantly found in plasma and is also a major biliary excretion product whereas urine contains only traces of the parent compound. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. All major metabolites have been shown to be pharmacologically inactive.

Meloxicam is eliminated with a half-life of 24 hours. Approximately 75 % of the administered dose is eliminated in faeces and the remainder in urine.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH

55216 Ingelheim am Rhein

Germany