Accidental exposure after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 4,136 reports of accidental exposure in dogs after Carprofen. That is 8.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.5% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

4,136Reports

2.1%Marked serious

1.2%Recovered

2.7%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

111 62%

1–2 days

40 22%

3–7 days

16 8.9%

1–4 weeks

2 1.1%

Over a month

11 6.1%

How the animals did

Recovered

50 1.2%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.0%

Still unwell when reported

143 3.5%

Died

105 2.5%

Euthanised

7 0.2%

Not known

3,830 93%

Problems reported at the same time

1,817 44%

1,203 29%

564 14%

495 12%

429 10%

312 7.5%

280 6.8%

174 4.2%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

415

1–3 years

971

4–7 years

930

8–11 years

812

12+ years

405

About this medicine

Carprofen relieves pain and inflammation from arthritis or after surgery.

Products with this ingredient include Rimadyl, Novox, Vetprofen. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

NSAIDs can affect the stomach, liver and kidneys. Vets usually recommend blood tests before and during long-term use.

Questions owners ask

Can Carprofen cause accidental exposure in dogs?: 4,136 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within the same day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Accidental exposure with similar medicines

Accidental exposure after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 1,440 reports · 13% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 51 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Meloxicam (Metacam) 227 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Accidental exposure after Firocoxib (Previcox) 126 reports · 1.6% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with accidental exposure