Deracoxib

How is this medication useful?

Deracoxib is used in dogs to treat pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis or after surgery or injuries; it may also be useful when used with other chemotherapy drugs to treat some types of cancer in dogs.

The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved this drug for use in dogs. The FDA allows veterinarians to prescribe and use products containing this drug in different species or for other conditions in certain situations. You and your veterinarian can discuss why this drug is the most appropriate choice.

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

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

• Other drugs can interact with deracoxib, so be sure to tell your veterinarian and pharmacist what medications (including 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 of using this drug.

• 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 few days, 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 drug is 100% safe in all patients, but your veterinarian will discuss with you any specific concerns about using this drug in your animal. Deracoxib is not recommended or approved for use in cats.

This drug SHOULD NOT be used in dogs:

• That are allergic to it or other drugs like it (eg, aspirin, NSAIDs such as firocoxib).

• That are taking other NSAIDs (eg, carprofen, etodolac, firocoxib, meloxicam), aspirin, or corticosteroids (eg, prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone as there is a greater chance of adverse effects occurring. That have bloody stools (black, tarry)or bloody vomit (looks like coffee grounds).

• That have a pre-existing kidney or liver condition.

• That have any condition predisposing to dehydration.

• That have a loss of appetite.

This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in dogs:

• That have stomach or gastrointestinal ulcers or have had them in the past, as deracoxib may make these ulcers worse or cause them to recur.

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

• That have pre-existing heart problems.

• That are pregnant, lactating, or are breeding animals. It is not known if deracoxib is safe to use in these animals.

• That have a bleeding disorder (eg, Von Willebrand disease).

• That are 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?

Deracoxib is tolerated well in most of dogs, but rare serious side effects (eg, stomach ulcers, liver, or kidney problems), including death, have been reported.

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

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

• Changes in behavior or activity levels (less active than normal), incoordination (eg, stumbling, clumsiness), weakness, seizures(convulsions) or aggression (threatening behavior and 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 (eg, redness, scabs, or scratching).

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?

Overdoses of deracoxib can be serious. If you witness or suspect an overdose, 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 Pet Poison 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. It’s a good idea to always check the prescription label to be sure you are giving the drug correctly.

• The drug may be given either with food or on an empty stomach. If your animal vomits or acts sick after receiving the drug on an empty stomach, try giving the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.

• Compounded liquid forms of this medication must be measured carefully. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help by providing special measuring spoons or syringes.

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

• This medication can be given for various lengths of time. Be sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to continue giving this medication. Prescription refills may be necessary before the therapy will be complete. 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 it 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 medication in the original prescription bottle or an approved dosage reminder container (ie, pill minder) at room temperature. The chewable forms of this drug may be very appealing to dogs; be sure to store in a secure area.

• 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 away from children and other animals.

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?

• Your veterinarian will need to do periodic blood tests during treatment to check for adverse effects caused by deracoxib. Do not miss these important follow-up visits.

• 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.