Carprofen
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-Carprofen_Enantiomers_Structural_Formulae.png) |
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| (RS)-2-(6-chloro-9H-carbazol-2-yl)propanoic acid | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 53716-49-7 |
| ATCvet code | QM01AE91 |
| PubChem | 2581 |
| DrugBank | APRD00849 |
| ChemSpider | 2483 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C15H12ClNO2 |
| Mol. mass | 273.714 g/mol |
| SMILES | eMolecules & PubChem |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Protein binding | High (99%) |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | Approximately 8 hours (range 4.5–9.8 hours) in dogs. |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
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| Legal status | |
| Routes | ? |
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Carprofen (marketed as Rimadyl, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health [1]) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used by veterinarians as a supportive treatment for the relief of arthritic symptoms in geriatric dogs. It can be used both short term, for joint pain or post-operative inflammation, or for day-to-day relief from the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, and other forms of joint deterioration .
Carprofen reduces inflammation by inhibiting the production of COX-2, and other sources of inflammatory prostaglandins. This is targeted protection, in that it does not interfere with the activity of COX-1.
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[edit] Administration
Carprofen is available in the USA in 25, 75 and 100 mg tablets (given either with food or straight into the animal's mouth), and in injectable form[2]. In the UK, it is available in 20, 50 and 100 mg tablets. The usual dosage is 2mg per pound daily [3]. In Australia, Carprofen is marketed as Norocarp or Tergive Injection by Parnell Technologies. Norocarp is available in 20 mg and 50 mg tablets or Norophen in injectable liquid at 5.0% w/v, for Cattle and canines[4]. Carprofen is also marketed in many Latin-American (and some Asia and Africa countries as Carprodyl (marketed as Carprodyl 25 & Carprodyl 100 Palatable Tablets, manufactured by Agrovet Market Animal Health [5]) in 25 mg and 100 mg tablets for canines[6].
Rimadyl is sometimes divided between morning and evening doses. It is administered two hours before surgery when being used to relieve post-operative pain.
[edit] Health issues
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009) |
Although some dogs respond well to carprofen, it is capable of causing liver and kidney problems in some animals, and in the early days of introduction there were significant anecdotal reports of sudden animal deaths arising from its use.
This medication has been found to be deadly for some dogs, as witnessed by the FDA receiving more than 6,000 bad reaction reports about the drug manufactured by Pfizer. As a result, the FDA requested that Pfizer advise consumers in their advertising that death was a possible side effect.[citation needed] Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising, however they have included "death" as a possible side effect on the drug label. Plans call for a "Dear Doctor" letter to be issued to veterinarians and a safety sheet will be attached to pill packages.
Pfizer acknowledges a problem with some dog owners, especially the consumer group which mounted a campaign dubbed BARKS, for Be Aware of Rimadyl's Known Side-effects (including loss of appetite, wobbling, vomiting, seizures and severe liver malfunction). The drug company is reported to be contacting pet owners who have told their stories on the Internet, and is offering to pay medical and diagnostic expenses for some dogs who may have been harmed by Rimadyl.[citation needed]
General symptoms to watch for include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increase in thirst
- Increase in urination
- Fatigue and/or Lethargy
- Loss of coordination
- Seizures
Other symptoms which can indicate a problem, and which are worth raising with a vet include excessive drinking or urination, blood or dark tar-like material in urine or stools, jaundice (yellowing of eyes), unusual lethargy and so on.
Carprofen/Rimadyl should not be administered to animals that are also being given steroids (one of the primary risks of this combination being that it can cause ulcers in the stomach). In dogs, it is recommended that the dog be taken off Carprofen/Rimadyl for three full days before ingesting a steroid (such as Prednisolone).
[edit] Human usage
Carprofen was previously used in human medicine for over 10 years, in doses of 150 to 600 mg per day. It was generally well tolerated, with the majority of adverse effects being transient and mild, such as gastro-intestinal pain and nausea, similar to those recorded with aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is no longer marketed for human usage, after apparently being withdrawn on commercial grounds [1].
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Rimadyl warning
- Pfizer product website PDS
- Norbrook product website PDS
- Agrovet Market AH Catalogue Products Website PDS
- Rimadyl For Dogs
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- [3]
- [4]
