Carprodyl F

Carprodyl F contains carprofen and is licensed in the dog for:

  - Analgesia and reduction of chronic inflammation, for example in degenerative joint disease

  - The management of post-operative pain

There are three tablet sizes available: 20mg, 50mg and 100mg with a tasty pork flavour

  - In palatability studies, 100% of dogs took the flavoured tablets voluntarily from the hand or in
  food (2)

Carprodyl F  is a presciption-only medicine (POM-V).

2. CEVA Study GAL/375BI/0513/1.5.2.3, 2008.

A comparison between Carprodyl F and the leading carprofen product:

 Dosage Guide

• 4 mg per kg bodyweight per day given as a single dose or in two equally divided doses
• The daily dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2mg/kg once daily, subject to clinical response

Carprodyl F Datasheet Information

Contra-indications: The elimination time of NSAIDs, including carprofen, in the cat is longer than in the dog and the therapeutic index is narrower. Consequently, do not use in cats. Do not use in pregnant or lactating bitches. Do not use in case of known hypersensitivity to active substance or to any of the excipients. Do not use in dogs suffering from cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, where there is a possibility of gastro-intestinal ulceration or bleeding, or where there is evidence of a blood dyscrasia or hypersensitivity to the product. Do not use in pups less than 4 months of age.

Precautions : Use in aged dogs may involve additional risk. If such a use cannot be avoided, dogs may require careful clinical management. Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive dog, as there is a potential risk of increased renal toxicity. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided. NSAIDs can cause inhibition of phagocytosis and hence in the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial infection, appropriate concurrent antimicrobial therapy should be instigated. Do not administer other NSAIDs concurrently or within 24 hours of each other. Some NSAIDs may be highly bound to plasma proteins and compete with other highly bound drugs, which can lead to toxic effects. Response to long term treatment should be monitored at regular intervals by a veterinary surgeon.

Operator warning : In the event of accidental ingestion of the tablets, seek medical advice and show the doctor the package leaflet. Wash hands after handling the product.

Overdose : No signs of toxicity appeared when dogs were treated with carprofen at levels up to 6 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days (3 times the recommended dose rate of 4 mg/kg) and 6 mg/kg once daily for a further 7 days (1.5 times the recommended dose rate of 4 mg/kg). There is no specific antidote for carprofen overdosage but general supportive therapy, as applied to clinical overdosage with NSAIDs, should be applied.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction : Carprofen must not be administered with glucocorticoids. For animal treatment only. Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Pharmaceutical precautions : This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Store tablets and half-tablets in the original blister in order to protect from light.

Legal category : POM-V.

Usinag painkillers such as Carprodyl F  is only one aspect in the management of arthritis.  Other measures include:

Weight Reduction

A weight loss programme will help reduce the pressure on the joints and therefore improve the clinical signs and slow the progression

Controlled Exercise

Exercise restriction is important but some exercise is needed in order to maintain muscle strength and joint function.  Consider the following:

• Low impact exercises such as lead exercise and swimming are preferable over high impact exercises, such as jumping, climbing, running on irregular terrain and going up or down stairs
• Cover slippery areas and place the dogs bed in an area where it can be reached without climbing the stairs
• It is best to start with short periods of exercise, for example 5 minute lead walks.  This may then be built up gradually as the dogs condition improves
• Avoid long, irregular walks - it is important to maintain a regular exercise regime with walks of a consistent length.  For example, avoid short walks during the week and then much longer walks at weekends