Elevated cholesterol (total) after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 694 reports of elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs after Carprofen. That is 1.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

694Reports

18%Marked serious

2.4%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

21 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

17 13%

1–2 days

11 8.1%

3–7 days

19 14%

1–4 weeks

34 25%

Over a month

55 40%

How the animals did

Recovered

12 1.7%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 0.7%

Still unwell when reported

99 14%

Died

136 20%

Euthanised

26 3.7%

Not known

416 60%

Problems reported at the same time

615 89%

306 44%

298 43%

221 32%

216 31%

164 24%

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)

138 20%

Diarrhea

131 19%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

110

8–11 years

290

12+ years

250

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 elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs?: 694 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 21 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).

Elevated cholesterol (total) with similar medicines

Elevated cholesterol (total) after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 178 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 65 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Meloxicam (Metacam) 54 reports · 0.7% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Firocoxib (Previcox) 63 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated cholesterol (total)