Carprofen was used in humans for almost ten years, starting in 1988, for the same conditions as in dogs; namely, joint pain and inflammation. Side effects tended to be mild, usually consisting of nausea or gastrointestinal pain and diarrhoea. It was available by prescription in 150 mg to 600 mg doses.[4] Dosages over 250 mg were reserved for pain caused by severe trauma, such as postoperative inflammation; 150 mg doses were commonly used to relieve arthritis pain, while 200 mg doses were commonly prescribed for severe arthritis or inflammatory pain. The drug was taken orally.
Pfizer voluntarily removed the medication from the market for human use on commercial grounds.[4]
Society and culture
Legal status
In November 2024, the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for the veterinary medicinal product Carprofen Orion, Chewable tablet; Solution for injection, intended for Cat and Dog.[2] The applicant for this veterinary medicinal product is Orion Corporation.[2] Carprofen Orion is a generic of Rimadyl vet, which has been authorized in the EU since January 2003.[2]
Veterinary medicine
Canine use
Carprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug approved for use in dogs.[5] It aids in the relief of inflammation, pain, and fever. Carprofen can be administered in pill, chewable tablet, or injection form.[6]
In animals suffering from pain, carprofen has been shown to improve energy, activity level, comfort, and general well-being.[7]
Adverse effects
Most dogs respond well to carprofen use, but like all NSAIDs, it can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney problems.[8]
In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than six thousand anecdotal reports of sudden animal death after usage of Pfizer's Rimadyl brand of carprofen. In response, the FDA requested that Pfizer advise consumers in their advertising that death is a possible side effect;[9] Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising, later including death as a possible side effect on the drug label.[10]
Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, seizure or aggression)[12]
In rare situations, death has been associated with some of the adverse reactions listed above.[13]
Effects of overdose include gastritis and ulcer formation.[14]
In healthy dogs given carprofen, no perioperative adverse effects on the cardiovascular system have been reported at recommended dosages.[15][16] Perioperative administration of carprofen to cats did not affect postoperative respiratory rate nor heart rate.[17]
Carprofen must be used with caution within the supervision of a veterinarian in dogs with liver or kidney disease, dehydration, bleeding deficits, or other health problems. It is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders (such as Von Willebrand's disease), as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders.[18] It has not been established whether carprofen can be safely used in pregnant dogs, dogs used for breeding purposes, or in lactating dogs.
Several laboratory studies and clinical trials have been conducted to establish the safety of using carprofen. Clinical studies were conducted in nearly 300 dogs of different breeds. The dogs were treated with Rimadyl at the recommended dose for two weeks. According to these studies, the drug was clinically well tolerated, and the treated dogs did not have a greater incidence of adverse reactions when compared to the control group.[19][medical citation needed]
A number of factors may contribute to the high incidence of adverse reports received for carprofen by the Center for Veterinary Medicine in the late 1990s. These include:
The type of drug;
Wide use;
Duration of use. Long-term use can result in a higher risk for adverse reactions. It is recommended that blood tests for liver and kidney function are performed both prior to starting and regularly while on NSAIDs to monitor the patient’s tolerance;[20]
Senior dog use. Older dogs are generally more prone to side effects caused by carprofen.[medical citation needed]
Equine use
Carprofen may be administered intravenously to horses.[21] A single dose has been shown to reduce prostaglandin E2 production and inflammatory exudate for up to 15 hours,[22] although there was less effect on eicosanoid production when compared to the effects produced by NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone or flunixin.[23] Prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory exudate are also reduced and leukotriene B4 is inhibited. Carprofen can also be given orally, but intramuscular use may produce muscle damage.[24]
Other animal use
Carprofen is used as an analgesic for mouse surgical procedures.[25] Carprofen may also be used on adult fish.[26]
Veterinary dosage forms include 25 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg tablets, and 50 mg per mL injectable form.[1][27] and more recent a 50 mg Caplet called Carprox for senior dogs aged 10 years+.
^"Update on Rimadyl". www.FDA.gov. FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. 1 December 1999. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
^McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE (2001). "Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs". Proc. AAEP (47): 182–187.
^Lees P, McKellar Q, May SA, Ludwig B (May 1994). "Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of carprofen in the horse". Equine Veterinary Journal. 26 (3): 203–208. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.1994.tb04370.x. PMID8542839.
^Lees P, Ewins CP, Taylor JB, Sedgwick AD (1987). "Serum thromboxane in the horse and its inhibition by aspirin, phenylbutazone and flunixin". The British Veterinary Journal. 143 (5): 462–476. doi:10.1016/0007-1935(87)90024-8. PMID3119142.
^McKellar QA, Bogan JA, von Fellenberg RL, Ludwig B, Cawley GD (July 1991). "Pharmacokinetic, biochemical and tolerance studies on carprofen in the horse". Equine Veterinary Journal. 23 (4): 280–284. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.1991.tb03718.x. PMID1915228.
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