Elevated creatine-kinase (ck) after Firocoxib (Previcox) in dogs

The FDA has received 43 reports of elevated creatine-kinase (ck) in dogs after Firocoxib. 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.

43Reports
28%Marked serious
2.3%Recovered
33%Died or euthanised
13 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
2 17%
1–2 days
1 8.3%
3–7 days
3 25%
1–4 weeks
1 8.3%
Over a month
5 42%

How the animals did

Recovered
1 2.3%
Still unwell when reported
5 12%
Died
12 28%
Euthanised
2 4.7%
Not known
23 53%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
1
1–3 years
6
4–7 years
8
8–11 years
17
12+ years
10

About this medicine

Firocoxib relieves pain and inflammation from arthritis.

Products with this ingredient include Previcox. 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 Firocoxib cause elevated creatine-kinase (ck) in dogs?
43 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 13 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

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