Firocoxib
Also known as: Previcox, Equioxx
* **Administration**: Can be given with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, giving it with a meal may help. * **What to Watch For (Dogs)**: Stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice **vomiting, decreased appetite/weight loss, diarrhea or loose stools, changes in behavior or activity, changes in water consumption or urination**, or **yellowing of the whites of eyes or mucous membranes** (jaundice). * **What to Watch For (Horses)**: Contact your veterinarian if the patient develops ulcers or sores on the tongue or in the mouth, sores or lesions on facial skin or lips, diarrhea/loose stools, or changes in feed/water consumption. * > **Safety Warning**: NEVER give your pet human pain relievers (like Advil, Tylenol, or Aspirin) or other veterinary NSAIDs while they are taking firocoxib, as this can cause fatal stomach ulcers or kidney failure.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Experimentally induced pyrexia (Unapproved/Investigational)
- Contraindicated
- Control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis
- Control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis
- Pain and inflammation (osteoarthritis, surgery)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Dogs: Vomiting, decreased appetite/anorexia, diarrhea, melena, GI ulcers, bloody vomiting, GI perforation
- Dogs: Increases in BUN, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and ALT
- Dogs: Depression/lethargy, ataxia
- Horses: Diarrhea/loose stools, mouth ulcers, facial skin lesions, excitation (rare)
- Gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence)
- Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding
- Renal toxicity (especially during hypotensive states)
- Hepatotoxicity (rare, but liver disease prolongs metabolism)
Cautions & contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to firocoxib or other NSAIDs
- Active GI ulcerative conditions (relative contraindication)
- Bleeding disorders or thrombocytopenia (relative contraindication)
- Dogs weighing less than 7 lbs
- Puppies less than 7 months old (US labeling) or less than 10 weeks old (UK labeling)
- Horses less than 1 year old
- Breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs or horses (safety not established)
- Cats
- Dogs < 10 weeks of age or < 3 kg body weight
- Pregnant or lactating bitches
- Dehydrated, hypovolaemic, or hypotensive patients
- Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease or bleeding
Drug interactions
- ACE Inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, benazepril): Some NSAIDs can reduce effects on blood pressure
- Aspirin: May increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity (ulceration, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone): May increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity (ulceration, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Digoxin: NSAIDs may increase serum levels
- Fluconazole: Administration has increased plasma levels of celecoxib in humans and potentially could also affect firocoxib levels in dogs
- Furosemide: NSAIDs may reduce the saluretic and diuretic effects
- Highly Protein Bound Drugs (phenytoin, valproic acid, oral anticoagulants, sulfonamides, etc.): May displace other highly bound drugs or be displaced by them, potentially increasing serum levels, duration of action, and toxicity
- Methotrexate: Serious toxicity has occurred when NSAIDs have been used concomitantly; use together with extreme caution
- Nephrotoxic Drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides, amphotericin B): May enhance the risk of nephrotoxicity development
- Other NSAIDs: Increased risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration and renal toxicity. A 3-5 day wash-out period is required.
Frequently asked questions
What is Firocoxib used for in pets?
* **Administration**: Can be given with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, giving it with a meal may help. * **What to Watch For (Dogs)**: Stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice **vomiting, decreased appetite/weight loss, diarrhea or loose stools, changes in behavior or activity, changes in water consumption or urination**, or **yellowing of the whites of eyes or mucous membranes** (jaundice). * **What to Watch For (Horses)**: Contact your veterinarian if the patient develops ulcers or sores on the tongue or in the mouth, sores or lesions on facial skin or lips, diarrhea/loose stools, or changes in feed/water consumption. * > **Safety Warning**: NEVER give your pet human pain relievers (like Advil, Tylenol, or Aspirin) or other veterinary NSAIDs while they are taking firocoxib, as this can cause fatal stomach ulcers or kidney failure.
Is Firocoxib safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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