Deracoxib

Deracoxib is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug of the coxib class.

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Indications and use

Deracoxib is commonly indicated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. It is not approved or recommended for use of pain control in cats.

Dosage

Postoperative Pain Relief:
3 to 4 mg/kg/day as needed, not to exceed 7 days.

Osteroarthitis Pain Relief:
1 to 2 mg/kg/day adjusted to minimum effective dose that has good clinical results
This could mean anywhere from 1/4 of a pill every other day to 1 pill every day.

High doses can cause Cox-1 inhibition even though this drug is selective to Cox-2, which in turn can cause the side effects associated with NSAIDs.

Contraindications

Use of deracoxib should be avoided in dogs who are hypersensitive to deracoxib or other NSAID; it should only be used in such dogs with extreme caution.

It also shouldn't be administered to dogs with gastro-intestinal ulcers, renal disease, hepatic disorders, hypoproteinemia, dehydration, or cardiac disease without extreme caution.

Dogs with renal disease may need dose adjustment (if the benefits of the medience outweigh the risks) while those on concurrent diuretic therapy are at increased risk for NSAID toxicity and should not be given this medication.

Concurrent use with steriods or other NSAIDs should be avoided.

Safety has not been established in pregnant or nursing dogs, so deracoxib should not be administered to such dogs.

Safetly also hasn't been established in dogs younger than 4 months of age, but young dogs may be given this drug so long as they are monitored closely for side effects.

Dogs weighing less than 6.3 kg (under 4 lbs) should not be given this medience for osteoarthitis pain and inflammation, and those weighing less than 3.1 kg should not be given this medience for post-operative pain relief.

Deracoxib is not approved for use in cats, so it shouldn't be given to them for pain relief.

Side Effects

As with all NSAIDs, this medication may cause gastric ulercations, evidenced by diarrhea, vomiting, and other GI problems, particularly during long-term use or in sensitive individuals. The medication should be discontinued immediately if such side effects occur and owners should contact their veterinain. Such side effects are more likely to occur if this drug is used in combination with other NSAIDs or with steroids; therefore is not recommended to give it with other NSAIDs or steriods.

Other side effects include depression, lethargy, increase in drinking or urination, jaundice, vomiting, bloody or black stools, pale gums, hot spots, lethargy, increased respiration (fast or heavy breathing), incoordination, and behavior changes.

Because the medication is a Cox-2 inhibitor and less likely to inhibit protective mechanisms of prostaglandins, side effects are not as common as in other NSAIDs such as aspirin. Hence it is considered relatively safe in dogs.

Brand names

• Novartis: Deramaxx

External references

• American Clinical insert, Deramaxx
• Canadian Clinical insert, Deramaxx
• Novartis Deramaxx site