Robenacoxib
Also known as: Onsior
**Onsior® (Robenacoxib)** is a medication used to relieve pain and inflammation in your pet. To ensure it works safely and effectively, please follow these guidelines: * **For Dogs**: Give the tablet on an empty stomach. Administer it at least 30 minutes before or after a meal. * **For Cats**: You can give the tablet with or without a small amount of food. **Do not divide, break, or crush the tablets**. * **Handling**: Wash your hands after handling the medication. Pregnant women who are near term should wear gloves when handling this drug. * **What to Watch For**: Stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows any signs of illness, such as: * Severe or bloody vomiting or diarrhea * Loss of appetite or extreme lethargy (listlessness) * Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or gums (jaundice) * Collapse or weakness * **Never** give your pet any other pain medications (like aspirin, ibuprofen, or other veterinary NSAIDs) or steroids while they are taking this drug without consulting your veterinarian.
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
- Acute pain and inflammation associated with musculoskeletal disorders
- Pain and inflammation associated with chronic osteoarthritis (Note: Label likely intended for surgical pain based on injection formulation)
- Perioperative analgesia
- Acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and inflammation
- Pain and inflammation associated with chronic osteoarthritis
- Pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic or soft tissue surgery
- Perioperative analgesia (orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery)
- Acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Soft feces
- Diarrhea
- Blood in feces (melena/hematochezia)
- Mild gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, soft feces, diarrhea)
- Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding (rare but severe)
- Renal toxicity (especially if hypotensive or dehydrated)
- Hepatic accumulation (in patients with pre-existing liver disease)
Cautions & contraindications
- Patients with active gastrointestinal ulcers
- Hypersensitivity to robenacoxib or its excipients
- Dogs with hepatic disease
- Dehydrated, hypovolaemic, or hypotensive patients
- Patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disease or ulceration
- Patients with blood clotting disorders
- Pregnant or lactating animals
- Dogs < 12 weeks of age or < 2.5 kg body weight
- Cats < 16 weeks of age or < 2.5 kg body weight
- Perioperative use in animals with renal disease (not advisable)
- > **Strict Veterinary Monitoring Required**: Use with extreme caution in patients with impaired cardiac or renal function, dehydration, hypovolemia, hypotension, or in cats with hepatic dysfunction. * **Washout Period**: Do not use concurrently with corticosteroids or other NSAIDs. A treatment-free period of at least 24 hours (accounting for the half-life of the previous drug) should be observed before starting robenacoxib. * **Renal Perfusion**: Use cautiously with drugs that affect renal blood flow (e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors) due to the risk of renal toxicity. * **Reproduction**: Safety has not been established in pregnant or lactating animals; use is not recommended.
Drug interactions
- ACE Inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, benazepril): Some NSAIDs can reduce effects on blood pressure
- Aspirin: May increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity (e.g., ulceration, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone): May increase the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity (e.g., 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 robenacoxib levels in dogs
- Furosemide: NSAIDs may reduce the saluretic and diuretic effects
- Highly Protein Bound Drugs (phenytoin, valproic acid, oral anticoagulants, salicylates, sulfonamides, etc.): As robenacoxib is highly bound to plasma proteins (>99%), it may displace other highly bound drugs or be displaced by them, potentially leading to increased serum levels 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
Frequently asked questions
What is Robenacoxib used for in pets?
**Onsior® (Robenacoxib)** is a medication used to relieve pain and inflammation in your pet. To ensure it works safely and effectively, please follow these guidelines: * **For Dogs**: Give the tablet on an empty stomach. Administer it at least 30 minutes before or after a meal. * **For Cats**: You can give the tablet with or without a small amount of food. **Do not divide, break, or crush the tablets**. * **Handling**: Wash your hands after handling the medication. Pregnant women who are near term should wear gloves when handling this drug. * **What to Watch For**: Stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet shows any signs of illness, such as: * Severe or bloody vomiting or diarrhea * Loss of appetite or extreme lethargy (listlessness) * Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or gums (jaundice) * Collapse or weakness * **Never** give your pet any other pain medications (like aspirin, ibuprofen, or other veterinary NSAIDs) or steroids while they are taking this drug without consulting your veterinarian.
Is Robenacoxib 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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