Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 242 reports of elevated creatine-kinase (ck) in dogs after Carprofen. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

242Reports

19%Marked serious

3.3%Recovered

30%Died or euthanised

16 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

4 6.3%

1–2 days

7 11%

3–7 days

11 17%

1–4 weeks

17 27%

Over a month

25 39%

How the animals did

Recovered

7 2.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 0.4%

Still unwell when reported

36 15%

Died

57 24%

Euthanised

15 6.2%

Not known

126 52%

Problems reported at the same time

215 89%

129 53%

116 48%

95 39%

95 39%

73 30%

69 29%

68 28%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

101

12+ years

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 creatine-kinase (ck) in dogs?: 242 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 16 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 creatine-kinase (ck) with similar medicines

Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 97 reports · 0.9% of its reports
Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 26 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Meloxicam (Metacam) 27 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Firocoxib (Previcox) 43 reports · 0.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated creatine-kinase (ck)