Sedation after Carprofen (Rimadyl) in dogs

132 reports to the FDA describe sedation in dogs given Carprofen. That is 0.3% 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.

132Reports
33%Marked serious
19%Recovered
17%Died or euthanised
1 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
29 48%
1–2 days
6 10%
3–7 days
5 8.3%
1–4 weeks
8 13%
Over a month
12 20%

How the animals did

Recovered
25 19%
Still unwell when reported
15 11%
Died
13 9.8%
Euthanised
10 7.6%
Not known
69 52%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
6
1–3 years
14
4–7 years
37
8–11 years
41
12+ years
26

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 sedation in dogs?
132 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 1 day 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).

Sedation with similar medicines

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