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Clinical particulars
Target species
Dogs.
Indications for use, specifying the target species
In the dog:
Reduction of inflammation and pain caused by musculo-skeletal disorders and degenerative joint disease. As a follow-up to parenteral analgesia in the management of post-operative pain.
Contraindications
Do not use in pregnant and lactating bitches. Do not use in dogs aged less than 4 months in the absence of specific data. Do not use in cats. Do not use in dogs, suffering from cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, when there is a possibility of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding or where there is evidence of blood dyscrasia. Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to other NSAIDs and to any of the excipients.
Special warnings for each target species
See Contraindications and Special precautions for use.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Use in dogs less than 6 weeks of age, or in aged dogs, may involve additional risk. If such a use cannot be avoided, dogs may require a reduced dosage and careful clinical management. Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive dog, 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. As with other NSAIDs, photodermatitis during treatment with carprofen has been observed in laboratory animals and in humans. These skin reactions have never been observed in dogs. Do not administer other NSAIDs concurrently or within 24 hours of each other. Some NSAIDs may be highly bound to plasma proteins and compete with other highly bound drugs, which can lead to toxic effects.
Due to the good palatability of the tablet, they should be stored in a safe place out of the reach of animals. Intake of dose exceeding the recommended number of tablets may lead to severe adverse effects. If this is the case, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet to the physician. Wash hands after handling the product
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Typical undesirable effects associated with NSAIDs, such as vomiting, soft faeces/diarrhea, faecal occult blood, loss of appetite and lethargy have been reported. These adverse reactions generally occur 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, 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 renal or idiosyncratic hepatic adverse events.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Studies in laboratory species (rat and rabbit) have shown evidence of foetotoxic effects of carprofen at doses close to the therapeutic dose. The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Do not use in pregnant or lactating bitches. For breeding animals, do not use during reproduction period.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Carprofen is highly bound to plasma proteins and competes with other highly bound drugs, which can increase their respective toxic effects. Do not use this veterinary medicinal drug concurrently with other NSAIDs or with glucocorticoids. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs (e.g. aminogylcoside antibiotics) should be avoided.
Refer also to Special precautions for use.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
For oral administration. 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day. An initial dose of 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day given as a single daily dose. The analgesic effect from each dose persists for at least 12 hours. The daily dose may be reduced, subject to clinical response. Duration of treatment will be dependant upon the response seen. Long term treatment should be under regular veterinary supervision. To extend analgesic and anti-inflammatory cover post-operatively parenteral pre-operative treatment with an injectable carprofen may be followed with carprofen tablets at 4 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Do not exceed the stated dose.
The breakability method is the following: Put the tablet on a plain surface, with its scored side facing the surface (convex face up).
With the tip of forefinger, exert a slight vertical pressure on the middle of the tablet to break it in its width into halves. In order to obtain quarters, then exert a slight pressure on the middle of one half with forefinger to break it in its length.
The tablet is divisible and can be used as follows:
Number of tablets per day
Dog weight (kg)
¼
> 3 - < 6
½
≥ 6 - < 9
¾
≥ 9 - < 12.5
1
≥ 12.5 - < 15.5
≥ 15.5 - < 18.5
≥ 18.5 - < 21.5
≥ 21.5 - < 25
2
≥ 25 - < 28
≥ 28 - < 31
≥ 31 - < 34
≥ 34 - < 37
3
≥ 37 - < 40
≥ 40 - < 43
≥ 43 - < 45
The tablets are flavoured, and are accepted by dogs, but they may be administered directly in the mouth of the dog or added to food if necessary.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
Bibliographic data report that carprofen is well tolerated in dogs at twice the recommended dosage for 42 days. Doses up to 3 times the recommended dose are reported to be without adverse effects. There is no specific antidote to carprofen but general supportive therapy as applied to clinical overdose with NSAIDs should be applied.
Withdrawal period(s)
Not applicable.