Medication: Deracoxib

Your dog has been prescribed the active ingredient deracoxib to treat chronic pain and lameness associated with osteoarthritis in dogs or for postoperative orthopedic or dental pain and inflammation.

Key points:
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID).
• Do not use in dogs 4 months old or 1.8 kg (3.96 lbs) bodyweight.
• Do not give to pregnant and lactating dogs.
• Dosage: one tablet daily.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist. Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. 

Name

• Deracoxib.

Brand name

• Deramaxx® (USA).
• OstiMax® (USA).
• Doxidyl® (USA).
• Redorox™ (USA).
• Coxiba™ (USA).

Class of medication

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID).
• COX-2 inhibitor.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F ).

Your veterinarian has prescribed deracoxib for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. It is also prescribed for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic or dental surgery.

Deracoxib is given as an oral tablet, with or without food.

Dogs with osteoarthritis can be given deracoxib tablets once a day for the long term. For post-operative dental pain, the tablets can be given once a day for up to 3 days as needed, starting approximately 2 hours prior to surgery. For post-operative orthopedic pain, deracoxib can be given for up to 7 days, including the days deracoxib is administered in hospital.

Deracoxib can cause the following adverse reactions:

• Mild gastrointestinal disorders (vomiting and/or diarrhea).
• On rare occasions, serious gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding and ulcer formation have occurred.
• Loss of appetite or lethargy (rare).
• Increases in kidney function results (renal biochemistry parameters) (very rare).
• Other side effects include polydipsia, polyuria and jaundice.

Deracoxib should not be administered with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Dogs receiving ACE inhibitors and/or diuretics concurrently with deracoxib should be monitored carefully for signs of hypotension that will increase the risk of renal side effects.

Deracoxib should not be given to dogs with cardiac, hepatic or renal impairment, or where blood dyscrasias exist. It may also impair healing of any gastric ulcers.

Owners should discontinue deracoxib therapy and contact their veterinarian immediately if signs of intolerance are observed. 

Deracoxib for osteoarthritis may be given on a periodic basis for your dog’s lifetime and at the lowest possible dose for adequate relief of symptoms.

Dispose of any unused deracoxib safely – don’t flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save deracoxib for future use or give to other pets.

If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of administration, re-dose with another full dose. If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not double up a dose. Make sure the dose given doesn’t exceed the total recommended amount in any 24-hour period.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have given an extra dose of deracoxib.

If your dog is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice. Deracoxib can cause side-effects which can be serious. If your dog stops eating or drinking with the potential to become dehydrated, deracoxib should be stopped.

Deraxocib should only be given to the dog that it has been prescribed for:

• Do not give to other pets in the household.
• Do not use in pregnant or lactating dogs.
• Do not use in dogs <4 months old.
• Do not use in dogs <1.8 kg (3.96 lbs) bodyweight, due to difficulties in ensuring accurate dosing with the available tablet sizes.
• Do not use in dogs with stomach or gastrointestinal disorders.
• Do not use in dogs with hepatic disorders.
• Do not use in dogs with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
• Do not use in dogs with hypersensitivity to deracoxib.
• Do not use in dogs with low blood proteins, dehydration and cardiac disease.
• Do not use concomitantly with corticosteroids or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Do not give to cats. If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.
• Keep out of reach of children – if accidentally eaten, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

Laboratory testing to establish hematological and serum baseline data is recommended prior to and periodically during medium to long term administration of deracoxib.

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on deracoxib can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

USA

• Deramaxx® (deracoxib). Website: www.deramaxx.com; www.elancolabels.com/us/deramaxx
• Deramaxx® packet insert. Website: assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0c9c95bf-d884-001c-8e80-5da5ada89c62/f7417aeb-8502-4936-b734-2b239fcdfbe2/Deramaxx_Insert.pdf
• Redorex™ packet insert. Website: www.dechra-us.com/Files/Files/ProductDownloads/US/05IN-REX21002-1121-Rederox-PI-_-Insert_FINAL.pdf

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your dog’s medication.