Adipsia after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 542 reports of adipsia in dogs after Carprofen. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

542Reports

24%Marked serious

7.7%Recovered

34%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

35 19%

1–2 days

40 22%

3–7 days

45 24%

1–4 weeks

38 20%

Over a month

28 15%

How the animals did

Recovered

38 7.0%

Recovered with lasting effects

4 0.7%

Still unwell when reported

72 13%

Died

138 25%

Euthanised

47 8.7%

Not known

243 45%

Problems reported at the same time

465 86%

298 55%

230 42%

199 37%

185 34%

118 22%

105 19%

82 15%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

113

8–11 years

210

12+ years

119

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 adipsia in dogs?: 542 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 4 days 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).

Adipsia with similar medicines

Adipsia after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 94 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Adipsia after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 27 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Adipsia after Meloxicam (Metacam) 105 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Adipsia after Firocoxib (Previcox) 120 reports · 1.5% of its reports

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