Anxiety after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 256 reports of anxiety in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.5% across reports for all dog medicines.

256Reports
53%Marked serious
27%Recovered
14%Died or euthanised
7 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
47 25%
1–2 days
27 14%
3–7 days
23 12%
1–4 weeks
32 17%
Over a month
61 32%

How the animals did

Recovered
67 26%
Recovered with lasting effects
2 0.8%
Still unwell when reported
102 40%
Died
5 2.0%
Euthanised
30 12%
Not known
50 20%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
9
1–3 years
23
4–7 years
48
8–11 years
97
12+ years
79

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 anxiety in dogs?
256 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 7 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).

Anxiety with similar medicines

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