Carprofen

How is this medication useful?

Carprofen is used in dogs to treat pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis or after surgery or injuries.

The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved this drug for use in dogs. The FDA does allow veterinarians to prescribe and use products containing this drug in different species or for other conditions in certain situations. In some other countries, carprofen products are licensed for use in horses and cattle. Carprofen use in other small animals, especially cats, is controversial and not approved by the FDA. Cats can be very sensitive to this medication and may have severe and life-threatening side effects.

What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?

Many things can affect how well this medication will work in your animal. Be sure to discuss the following with your veterinarian so together you can make the best treatment decisions.

• Other medications can cause problems when they are taken with carprofen, especially steroids (eg, prednisone) and other anti-inflammatory medications. Be sure to tell your veterinarian and pharmacist what medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies you give your animal, including the amount and time you give each.

• Tell your veterinarian about any conditions or diseases your animal may have now or has had in the past.

• If your animal has been treated for the same disease or condition in the past, tell your veterinarian about the treatment and how well it did or didn't work.

• If your animal is pregnant or nursing, talk to your veterinarian about the risks for using this medication.

• Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medication side effects (including allergic reactions, lack of appetite, diarrhea, itching, hair loss) your animal has developed in the past.

How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?

This medication should help your animal feel better within 1 to 2 hours. Your animal’s clinical signs should improve after that time. The effects of this medication are moderate in duration, meaning they may last for a day or 2, although the benefits may be prolonged if your animal has decreased kidney and/or liver function.

When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?

No medication is 100% safe in all patients, but your veterinarian will discuss with you any specific concerns about using this medication in your pet.

This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:

• That are allergic to it or severely allergic to other medications like it (eg, other anti-inflammatories or aspirin).

• That are taking other NSAIDs or steroids (eg, prednisone).

• Cats: Carprofen is not approved for use in cats in the US; cats can rapidly develop toxicity from the drug. It is rarely given more thanone time in cats and then only with extreme caution.

This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:

• That have stomach or GI ulcers or have had them in the past. Carprofen may make these ulcers worse or come back.

• That are dehydrated or on diuretic treatment (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).

• That have kidney, heart, or liver problems. Patients with these conditions are at greater risk for developing kidney problems. Yourveterinarian will recommend checking for these conditions before prescribing carprofen.

• That are pregnant, lactating, or are used for breeding. It is not known if carprofen is safe to use in these patients.

• That have a bleeding disorder.

• That are less than six weeks old.

If your animal has any of these conditions, talk to your veterinarian about the potential risks versus benefits.

What are the side effects of this medication?

Carprofen is tolerated well in the vast majority of dogs and the risk for side effects is low. Rarely, serious side effects and sometimes death have been reported.

Side effects that are usually not serious include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or changes in appetite that are mild and short-lived.

Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:

• Decrease or increase in appetite (eating less or more than normal), vomiting, changes in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black, tarry, or bloody stools)

• Changes in behavior or activity levels (more or less active than normal), incoordination/weakness (eg, stumbling, clumsiness),seizure (convulsions), or aggression (threatening behavior/actions)

• Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)

• Changes in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed) or urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)

• Changes in skin (redness, scabs, or itchiness)

If you see any of these signs, stop giving the drug and contact your veterinarian immediately.

If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?

If you witness or suspect an overdose, immediately contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center for further advice.Animal poison control centers that are open 24 hours a day include ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and PetPoison HELPLINE (855-764-7661); a consultation fee is charged for these services.

How should this medication be given?

For this medication to work, give it exactly as your veterinarian has prescribed. Always check the prescription label to be sure you are giving the medication correctly.

• This medication may be given either with food or on an empty stomach. Giving it with food might reduce the chances of stomach upset. If your animal vomits or acts sick after receiving this medication on an empty stomach, try giving the next dose with a meal or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.

• If you have difficulty getting your animal to take this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for tips to help with dosing and reducing the stress of medication time.

• Patients can be on this medication for a short period of time, an extended period of time, or for the rest of their lives. Give this medication according to the label’s instructions and obtain refills as needed. Before stopping this medication, talk to your veterinarian, as there may be important reasons to continue its use.

What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?

If you miss a dose, give the dose when you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give it at the next scheduled time. After that, return to the regular dosing schedule. Do not double-up or give extra doses.

How should I store this medication?

• Store this medicine in the original prescription bottle or an approved dosage reminder container (ie, pill minder) at room temperature.

• If your veterinarian or pharmacist has made (compounded) a special formulation for your animal, follow the storage recommendations and expiration date for the product.

• Keep this medicine away from other animals and children. The chewable forms of this drug can be very appealing to dogs, so it is important to store in a secure area that is well out of reach to prevent accidental overdose.

Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?

There are no specific precautions required when handling this medication unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after handling any medication.

How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?

Do not flush this medication down the toilet or wash it down the sink. If a community drug “take-back” program is available, use this option. If there is no take-back program, mix the drug with coffee grounds or cat litter (to make it undesirable to children and animals and unrecognizable to people who might go through your trash), place the mixture in a sealable plastic bag to keep it from leaking out, and throw the bag out with the regular trash.

Do not save leftover medication for future use or give it to others to use.

What other information is important for this medication?

• For the safety of your animal, your veterinarian will recommend periodic physical examinations and blood tests for your animal while it is taking carprofen. Do not miss these important follow-up visits. It is important that your animal has access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water while taking this medication. Dehydration can increase the risk for kidney problems when taking this medication.

• Use of this drug may not be allowed in certain animal competitions. Check rules and regulations before entering your animal in a competition while this medication is being administered.

If you have any other questions about this medication, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.