Elevated lipase after Firocoxib (Previcox) in dogs

The FDA has received 86 reports of elevated lipase in dogs after Firocoxib. That is 1.1% 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.

86Reports
28%Marked serious
4.7%Recovered
27%Died or euthanised
10 daysTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
0 0.0%
1–2 days
6 22%
3–7 days
6 22%
1–4 weeks
8 30%
Over a month
7 26%

How the animals did

Recovered
4 4.7%
Still unwell when reported
9 10%
Died
18 21%
Euthanised
5 5.8%
Not known
50 58%

Problems reported at the same time

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
0
1–3 years
7
4–7 years
22
8–11 years
34
12+ years
23

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 lipase in dogs?
86 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 10 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 lipase with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Firocoxib in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated lipase