Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

The FDA has received 1,078 reports of elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs after Carprofen. That is 2.3% 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.

1,078Reports

23%Marked serious

5.5%Recovered

23%Died or euthanised

12 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

31 8.8%

1–2 days

27 7.7%

3–7 days

74 21%

1–4 weeks

131 37%

Over a month

88 25%

How the animals did

Recovered

53 4.9%

Recovered with lasting effects

6 0.6%

Still unwell when reported

206 19%

Died

175 16%

Euthanised

73 6.8%

Not known

565 52%

Problems reported at the same time

1,044 97%

652 60%

632 59%

424 39%

312 29%

249 23%

221 21%

196 18%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

284

8–11 years

414

12+ years

286

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 gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) in dogs?: 1,078 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 12 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 gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) with similar medicines

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Deracoxib (Deramaxx) 142 reports · 1.3% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Grapiprant (Galliprant) 89 reports · 1.0% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Meloxicam (Metacam) 85 reports · 1.1% of its reports
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) after Firocoxib (Previcox) 91 reports · 1.1% of its reports

All reported side effects of Carprofen in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)