Carodyl© (Carprofen 100mg)
Сarprofen: Main Info
Carodyl© is a fairly common US veterinary medicine that can be found in the first aid kit of almost every owner of a dog suffering from osteoarthritis and some other chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Carodyl is the trade name for a drug whose active ingredient is Carprofen. This substance is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug for dogs. In other words, the international non-proprietary name of Carodyl is Carprofen. The brand-name patented drug is sold under the name Carodyl©.
Carodyl’s main ingredient, Carprofen, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the relief of pain and inflammation in dogs and has been shown to be highly clinically effective in relieving symptoms primarily associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Carprofen is a non-narcotic NSAID with both analgesic and antipyretic properties. This medication is not habit-forming for your four-legged friend. The principle of action of Carprofen is quite simple. This drug preferentially inhibits COX-2, which blocks the synthesis of prostaglandins responsible for inflammation, swelling and pain. In therapeutic doses, Carprofen has a much weaker effect on COX-1, due to which it does not affect the synthesis of protective prostaglandins. Thus, Сarprofen does not interfere with normal physiological processes in tissues, stomach, intestines, kidneys and platelets.
When administered orally, Carprofen is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, reaching maximum plasma concentrations 1-3 hours after administration. The bioavailability of the drug is over 90%. When administered parenterally, Carprofen is rapidly absorbed from the injection site, enters the bloodstream and most organs and tissues. Carprofen is more than 99% bound to plasma proteins. The drug is metabolized in the liver, excreted mainly in the feces (about 80%) and partly in the urine. The half-life of Carprofen from the body of dogs is about 8-10 hours, in cats the drug remains in the body much longer – up to 20 hours.
Carprofen for Dogs
What Is Carprofen Used for In Dogs
In most cases, veterinarians prescribe Carprofen to dogs for acute and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as arthrosis, arthritis, dislocations and herniated discs. Also, this medicine is used to relieve inflammatory and pain reactions in the postoperative period, during premedication or during anesthesia during surgical interventions.
Сarprofen for Dogs – Side Effects
Carprofen is generally well tolerated by the body of pets. In rare cases, when using the drug in animals, irritation of the gastric mucosa and vomiting are noted. In some cases, diarrhea, constipation and temporary loss of appetite, as well as fatigue are observed. In these cases, the use of the drug is stopped and, if necessary, the veterinarian prescribes symptomatic and desensitizing therapy to the dog.
Is Carprofen Safe for My Dog?
Carprofen is a drug that has been successfully used in veterinary medicine for many years for dogs of various breeds. Most dogs tolerate this medication well and do not experience any serious side effects from its use. Sometimes there is an increased individual sensitivity of dogs to Carprofen, which manifests itself in the form of allergic skin reactions. Basically, white dogs that are allergic to other drugs and food are prone to such reactions.
Carprofen should not be used in pregnant or lactating females or in puppies under 6 weeks of age. Also, this medicine is not recommended to be taken at the same time with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, diuretics and anticoagulants. If it is necessary to prescribe the above medicines to the animal, their use can be carried out no earlier than 24 hours after the abolition of Carprofen or 24 hours before the start of their administration. Combining these medications can cause unpredictable effects and cause serious harm to your dog’s health.
It is extremely important to follow the recommendations of the veterinarian on the dosage of the medication. Signs of an overdose of Carprofen include vomiting, diarrhea, hematemesis, black tarry stools, anorexia, lethargy, excessive or insufficient urination, thirst, general malaise, and abdominal pain. Severe overdose can cause convulsions or death. Rarely, if chronically ingested, the drug can cause liver toxicity in dogs.
Carprofen vs Ibuprofen
In terms of both anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy, carprofen appears to be in the middle of the NSAID range. It is about a quarter more effective than indomethacin and five times more effective than ibuprofen on a milligram for milligram basis. However, remember that giving ibuprofen to dogs is strictly prohibited. There are a number of reasons why it is dangerous to give dogs painkillers made for humans. Firstly, it is difficult to determine the correct dose of the drug, so the risk of overdose is too great. Secondly, animals are hypersensitive to NSAIDs, so even the right dose can be dangerous. Ibuprofen can cause kidney or liver damage, kidney or liver failure, and even death in a dog. Sometimes a single tablet of it is enough for a dog to have a fatal stomach bleed.
For dogs, veterinary drugs have been specially developed to help cope with the pain of a pet. Carprofen is a safe pain reliever for animals.
Carprofen 100mg for Dogs
Carprofen is produced mainly in dosages of 50 and 100 mg. The release form is chewable tablets, which, in order to simplify the intake procedure, have a pleasant taste for dogs, for example, meat or liver. Each tablet has a convenient risk for dividing into two equal parts. Tablets are used only inside.
- At the beginning of treatment, the daily dose is 4 mg of carprofen per 1 kg of body weight (thus, tablets with a dosage of 100 mg are only suitable for sufficiently large animals). It is recommended to distribute the daily dose into two equal parts, taken at approximately the same time interval.
- After 7 days of treatment, depending on clinical indications, the daily dose can be reduced to 2 mg/kg of body weight per day (1 tablet of 20 mg per 10 kg of animal weight) for 1 administration.
- The duration of therapy depends on the condition of the animal, but after 14 days of treatment, the animal should be re-examined by a veterinarian to adjust the treatment plan.
In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the duration of treatment depends on the condition of the animal and, under the supervision of a veterinarian, can continue throughout the life of the animal.
Generic Carprofen for Dogs
Carprofen Generic 100mg (Carprofen 100mg for Dogs)
Carprofen is not only the name of the active substance Carodyl, but also the common name for a variety of generics of this drug. The fact is that the term of patent protection of a branded drug has long expired, and today it is produced by a variety of pharmaceutical companies. Some of them produce drugs based on Carprofen in the USA, some in Europe and India. There is no fundamental difference between the original medicine and the generic. Generic drugs are simply sold under different names, and due to differences in excipients, tablets may have different tastes and sizes. Some manufacturers make the texture of the tablet more dense, others – more soft, some sell beef-flavored tablets, others - poultry or liver flavors.
Among the most popular Carodyl generics are Rimadyl R, Novox, Carprofen Tabs, Generic Carprofen. All of these drugs are available primarily in 50 and 100 mg dosages, with a 75 mg option also sometimes available.
Carodyl 100 Buy Online without Prescription
Over-the-counter dog pain relievers are available as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but not all over-the-counter dog pain relievers are safe. Certain supplements to support relief for your dog’s condition may be purchased over the counter, but many pain medications, including Carprofen, require a prescription from a veterinarian.
Although it would be convenient for pet owners, veterinary pharmacies in the US are not allowed to sell Carodyl without a prescription. Most states require a veterinarian to personally examine a pet and write a prescription for the necessary medication. However, in a number of countries, the legislation regarding veterinary drugs is completely different, and control over them is far from being as strict as for human drugs. If for some reasons you would like to buy Carodyl without prescription, it is advisable to select some online pharmacy providing delivery from foreign or international vet pharmacies.
Carprofen Chewable 75 mg Generic
Carodyl 75mg is a convenient dosage for medium sized dogs. This dosage option is available only for generics, the branded medicine is available only in 50 and 100 mg versions. Carodyl chewable tablets are readily eaten by dogs due to their attractive smell and taste.
Best Price Carprofen
The most attractive prices for Carprofen generic are available when ordering this medicine from international pharmacies. Pay attention to generics from Indian manufacturers, because it is their products that in most cases are characterized by the lowest cost. Compared to the original medicine, it is quite realistic to save up to 60% of the cost. Of course, this option is best for those dog owners whose pets are forced to take Carprofen on an ongoing basis. Shipping from overseas is free in most cases on orders over $80 or $100.