Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs) are effective in reducing
pain and
inflammation, these agents have adverse effects. Selective inhibitors of COX-2 are an alternative to traditional
NSAIDs.
Deramaxx [Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. (NAH), Greensboro, NC, USA] contains the selective
COX-2 inhibitor,
deracoxib, and is approved for the relief of
pain and
inflammation associated with
orthopedic surgery and
osteoarthritis in dogs. The safety of
Deramaxx was evaluated in two target animal safety studies: 40 dogs (four dogs/sex/group) received 0, 4, 6, 8, or 10 mg/kg/day
deracoxib once daily for 21 days; and 60 dogs (five dogs/sex/group) received 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 mg/kg/day
deracoxib once daily for 6 months. There was a dose-dependent trend towards increased blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) in treated dogs, however mean BUN values remained within the reference range at the labeled doses. In both trials, histopathology revealed focal renal tubular degeneration/regeneration in some dogs receiving >or=6 mg/kg/day
deracoxib. Focal renal papillary
necrosis was seen in one dog treated with 8 mg/kg/day and in three dogs receiving 10 mg/kg/day
deracoxib on the 6-month study. No other parameters of renal function were adversely affected for either study. Results show that
Deramaxx is safe and well-tolerated in dogs when administered as directed.