Diarrhea after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 6,458 reports of diarrhea in dogs after Carprofen. That is 14% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 8.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

6,458Reports

23%Marked serious

13%Recovered

21%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

422 18%

1–2 days

629 26%

3–7 days

440 18%

1–4 weeks

392 16%

Over a month

510 21%

How the animals did

Recovered

819 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

18 0.3%

Still unwell when reported

1,068 17%

Died

1,049 16%

Euthanised

300 4.6%

Not known

3,204 50%

Problems reported at the same time

3,655 57%

2,698 42%

1,983 31%

1,887 29%

1,348 21%

1,100 17%

672 10%

617 9.6%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

372

1–3 years

765

4–7 years

1,394

8–11 years

2,117

12+ years

1,627

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 diarrhea in dogs?: 6,458 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 3 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).

Diarrhea with similar medicines

Diarrhea after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 1,879 reports · 17% of its reports
Diarrhea after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 1,724 reports · 20% of its reports
Diarrhea after Meloxicam (Metacam) 1,424 reports · 18% of its reports
Diarrhea after Firocoxib (Previcox) 1,200 reports · 15% of its reports

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