Meloxicam Oral Suspension for Dogs, 1.5 mg/ml

Meloxicam Oral Suspension for Dogs, 1.5 mg/mL

Osteoarthritis can make familiar activities—getting up, climbing steps, or enjoying a walk—more difficult for dogs. Meloxicam Oral Suspension for Dogs, 1.5 mg/mL, is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated to control the pain and inflammation associated with canine osteoarthritis. Its liquid formulation allows your veterinarian to prescribe an individually measured oral dose based on your dog’s needs, providing an alternative to tablets. By managing osteoarthritis discomfort, meloxicam may help improve mobility as part of a veterinary care plan that includes appropriate exercise and weight management. Shake well before measuring, and use the dosing device and administration instructions supplied with the specific product dispensed. Your veterinarian will determine the dose, treatment duration, and monitoring schedule, using the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate time. Meloxicam can cause serious gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver adverse effects and must not be combined with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids without veterinary direction. This oral suspension is for dogs only and must not be given to cats.

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Key Features:

• Osteoarthritis pain control: Indicated for pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.
• Meloxicam 1.5 mg/mL: Each milliliter contains 1.5 mg of the active medication.
• Oral liquid formulation: Allows a veterinarian-prescribed, measured dose.
• NSAID medication: Provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• Maintenance dosing: Labeled for once-daily administration after the initial dose, as prescribed.
• Prescription required: Available only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
• For dogs only: Do not administer this oral suspension to cats.

Dosage and Administration:

Always provide client information sheet with prescription. Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Meloxicam Oral Suspension and other treatment options before deciding to use Meloxicam Oral Suspension. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. Meloxicam Oral Suspension should be administered initially at 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) body weight only on the first day of treatment. For all treatments after day 1, Meloxicam Oral Suspension should be administered once daily at a dose of 0.045 mg/lb (0.1 mg/kg). The syringe is calibrated to deliver the daily maintenance dose in pounds.

Dogs under 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

Shake well before use, then remove cap. Particular care should be given concerning the accuracy of dosing. To prevent accidental overdosing of small dogs, administer drops on food only, never directly into the mouth. Carefully measure suspension onto food to assure that the correct dose is given before presentation of the food to the dog. The syringe provided with the meloxicam concentration of 1.5 mg/mL cannot be used to measure doses for dogs weighing less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg).

For dogs less than 5 lbs (2.3 kg), Meloxicam Oral Suspension can be given using the syringe as a dropper: one drop for each pound of body weight for the 1.5 mg/mL concentration (two drops for each kilogram of body weight), dropped directly onto the food.

For dogs between 5-10 pounds, Meloxicam Oral Suspension can be given by using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits onto the bottle and has a scale beginning at 5 lbs, designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog’s weight should be rounded down to the nearest 5-pound increment. Replace and tighten cap after use.

Dogs over 10 pounds (4.5 kg)

Shake well before use, then remove cap. Meloxicam Oral Suspension may be either mixed with food or placed directly into the mouth. Particular care should be given concerning the accuracy of dosing. Meloxicam Oral Suspension can be given using the measuring syringe provided in the package (see dosing procedure below). The syringe fits onto the bottle and has a scale in pounds designed to deliver the daily maintenance dose (0.05 mg/lb or 0.1 mg/kg). When using the syringe, the dog’s weight should be rounded down to the nearest 5-pound increment. Alternatively, Meloxicam Oral Suspension can be given using the syringe as a dropper: one drop for each pound of body weight for the 1.5 mg/mL concentration (two drops for each kilogram of body weight). Replace and tighten cap after use.

Contraindications: Dogs with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam should not receive Meloxicam Oral Suspension. Do not use Meloxicam Oral Suspension in cats. Acute renal failure and death have been associated with the use of meloxicam in cats.

Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion by humans. For oral use in dogs only.

As with any NSAID, all dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before the initiation of NSAID therapy.

Appropriate laboratory testing to establish hematological and serum biochemical baseline data is recommended before and periodically during administration. The owner should be advised to observe their dog for signs of potential drug toxicity and be given a client information sheet about Meloxicam Oral Suspension.

Keep Meloxicam Oral Suspension in a secure location out of reach of dogs, cats, and other animals to prevent accidental ingestion or overdose.

Precautions: The safe use of Meloxicam Oral Suspension in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Meloxicam is not recommended for use in dogs with bleeding disorders, as safety has not been established in dogs with these disorders. As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient. Dogs that have experienced adverse reactions from one NSAID may experience adverse reactions from another NSAID. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with existing renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be carefully approached. NSAIDs may inhibit the prostaglandins that maintain normal homeostatic function. Such anti-prostaglandin effects may result in clinically significant disease in patients with underlying or pre-existing disease that has not been previously diagnosed. Since NSAIDs possess the potential to induce gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations, concomitant use with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided. If additional pain medication is needed after administration of the total daily dose of Meloxicam Oral Suspension, a non-NSAID or non-corticosteroid class of analgesia should be considered. The use of another NSAID is not recommended. Consider appropriate washout times when switching from corticosteroid use or from one NSAID to another in dogs. The use of concomitantly protein-bound drugs with Meloxicam Oral Suspension has not been studied in dogs. Commonly used protein-bound drugs include cardiac, anticonvulsant, and behavioral medications. The influence of concomitant drugs that may inhibit the metabolism of Meloxicam Oral Suspension has not been evaluated. Drug compatibility should be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive therapy.

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FAQ

What is meloxicam oral suspension used for?

It controls pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. It manages symptoms but does not cure osteoarthritis.

Does this medication require a prescription?

Yes. A licensed veterinarian must prescribe it.

How much should I give my dog?

Give only the amount prescribed. The first-day dose may differ from subsequent doses. Dosing devices and small-dog instructions vary by manufacturer, so follow the specific product’s label and your veterinarian’s instructions.

Can I give it with aspirin, carprofen, or prednisone?

Do not combine meloxicam with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. Switching medications may require a washout period.

What side effects should I watch for?

Stop treatment and contact your veterinarian immediately for vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, black or bloody stools, unusual lethargy, increased thirst or urination, or yellowing of the eyes or gums. Serious reactions can occur without warning.