Drug guide
Carprofen for Dogs: Dosage, Contraindications & Safety
Carprofen is an NSAID used in dogs for pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, and oral dosing is also described for postoperative pain control or postoperative cover with specific tablet products.[2][4][1][5]
Oral dosing in dogs includes 2 mg/lb daily given once daily or as 1 mg/lb twice daily, or 2 to 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day given as a single or in two equally divided doses depending on the product.[1][2][4][5]
The main cautions are gastrointestinal adverse effects, renal risk in susceptible patients, and avoidance of concurrent potentially nephrotoxic drugs or other anti-inflammatory drugs.[1][2]
Overview
Carprofen is an NSAID used in dogs for pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, and oral dosing is also described for postoperative pain control or postoperative cover with specific tablet products.[2][4][1][5]
- Products in the sources: Carprox vet 50 mg tablets for dogs, OstiFen chewable tablets, Rimadyl Caplets, and Rimadyl Palatable Tablets.[1][2][4][5]
- Oral dosing flexibility: Depending on the product, the total daily dose may be given once daily or divided into two doses.[1][2][4][5]
Dosage by species
| Species | Dose | Route | Frequency / duration | Product / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs | 2 to 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day | Oral | given as a single or in two equally divided doses; subject to clinical response, the dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day given as a single dose | Carprox vet 50 mg tablets for dogs.[1] |
| Dogs | 4 mg/kg/day | Oral | for up to 5 days | To extend analgesic cover post-operatively, parenteral therapy with solution for injection may be followed with tablets; Carprox vet 50 mg tablets for dogs.[1] |
| Dogs | 2 mg/lb of body weight daily | Oral | 2 mg/lb of body weight once daily or 1 mg/lb twice daily | OstiFen chewable tablets.[2] |
| Dogs | 2 mg/lb daily | Oral | 2 mg/lb of body weight once daily or 1 mg/lb twice daily | Rimadyl Caplets; available as 25, 75, and 100 mg scored caplets.[4] |
| Dogs | 2 to 4 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day | Oral | given as a single dose or in two equally divided doses; subject to clinical response the dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day given as a single daily dose | Rimadyl Palatable Tablets 20 mg, 50 mg & 100 mg.[5] |
| Dogs | 4mg/kg/day | Oral | for up to 5 days | To extend analgesic and anti-inflammatory cover post operatively, parenteral therapy with Rimadyl Small Animal Injection may be followed with Rimadyl Palatable Tablets.[5] |
Indications
- Osteoarthritis: Rimadyl is indicated for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.[4]
- Postoperative pain control: For OstiFen chewable tablets, for the control of postoperative pain, administer approximately 2 hours before the procedure.[2]
- Postoperative cover after injection: Carprox vet 50 mg tablets and Rimadyl Palatable Tablets are described for extending postoperative analgesic or analgesic and anti-inflammatory cover after parenteral therapy.[1][5]
Contraindications & warnings
The main cautions are renal risk, avoidance of concurrent nephrotoxic or additional anti-inflammatory drugs, and regular review of response.[1][2][5]
- Renal risk: Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction.[2]
- Potentially nephrotoxic drugs: Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided, or approached cautiously with appropriate monitoring.[1][2]
- Other anti-inflammatories: Concomitant use of carprofen with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations.[2]
- NSAID sensitivity: Dogs that have experienced adverse reactions from one NSAID may experience adverse reactions from another NSAID.[2]
- Dose principle: Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response.[2]
- Review: The dog’s condition should be re-appraised by the veterinary surgeon after 14 days therapy, and long term treatment should be under regular veterinary supervision.[1][5]
- Client handout: Always provide Client Information Sheet with prescription.[2]
Drug interactions
Avoid combining carprofen with other nephrotoxic or anti-inflammatory drugs when the sources specifically warn against it.[1][2]
- Potential nephrotoxic drugs: Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided, or approached cautiously with appropriate monitoring.[1][2]
- Other NSAIDs or corticosteroids: Concomitant use of carprofen with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations.[2]
- Diuretic therapy: Patients on concomitant diuretic therapy are among those at greatest risk for renal toxicity.[2]
Adverse effects
Gastrointestinal signs are the most frequently reported adverse effects with carprofen.[2]
- Most frequent: The most frequently reported effects have been gastrointestinal signs.[2]
- Other reported systems: Events involving suspected renal, hematologic, neurologic, dermatologic, and hepatic effects have also been reported.[2]
- Field study findings: In a study of dogs with osteoarthritis, two dogs treated with Rimadyl experienced mild episodes of vomiting, and increased thirst was reported in one dog treated with Rimadyl.[4]
- High-dose safety findings: Over the 6-week treatment period, black or bloody stools were observed in 1 dog treated with 1 mg/lb twice daily and 1 dog treated with 3 mg/lb twice daily, and redness of the colonic mucosa was observed in 1 male that received 3 mg/lb twice daily.[2]
- Laboratory finding at high dose: Serum albumin for a single female dog receiving 5 mg/lb twice daily decreased to 2.1 g/dL after 2 weeks of treatment, returned to the pre-treatment value (2.6 g/dL) after 4 weeks of treatment, and was 2.3 g/dL at the final 6-week evaluation.[2]
- ALT change in field study: For animals receiving 1mg/lb twice daily, the mean post-treatment serum ALT values were 11 IU greater and 9 IU less than pre-treatment values for dogs receiving carprofen and placebo, respectively.[2]
- Overall tolerability in label field studies: In clinical field studies conducted at the recommended oral doses for 14 days, the drug was clinically well tolerated and the incidence of clinical adverse reactions for carprofen-treated animals was no higher than placebo-treated animals.[2]
Overdose & toxicity
In healthy dogs, label safety studies included doses above the recommended total daily dose.[2]
- Target animal safety study: Carprofen was administered orally to healthy Beagle dogs at 1, 3, and 5 mg/lb twice daily for 42 consecutive days with no significant adverse reactions.[2]
- Margin in healthy dogs: Carprofen treatment was not associated with renal toxicity or gastrointestinal ulceration in well-controlled safety studies of up to ten times the dose in healthy dogs.[2]
- Findings seen in safety studies: At higher-dose safety exposures, black or bloody stools, redness of the colonic mucosa, and a decrease in serum albumin were observed in individual dogs.[2]
Clinical notes
- Tablet splitting: Carprox tablets can be divided into two equal parts to adjust the dosage, and OstiFen chewable tablets are scored and dosage should be calculated in half-tablet increments.[1][2]
- OstiFen administration: These liver flavored OstiFen chewable tablets may be offered to the dog by hand or placed on food; if the dog does not willingly consume the tablets, they may be hand-administered, and care should be taken to ensure that the dog consumes the complete dose.[2]
- Timing around surgery: For the control of postoperative pain with OstiFen, administer approximately 2 hours before the procedure.[2]
- Duration and review: Duration of treatment will be dependent upon the response seen, the dog’s condition should be re-appraised after 14 days therapy, and long term treatment should be under regular veterinary supervision.[1][5]
Frequently asked questions
What is the oral dose of carprofen for dogs?
Product directions in the sources include 2 mg/lb daily given as 2 mg/lb once daily or 1 mg/lb twice daily, and 2 to 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day given as a single dose or in two equally divided doses depending on the product.[1][2][4][5]
For Carprox vet 50 mg tablets and Rimadyl Palatable Tablets, the dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day given as a single dose or single daily dose, subject to clinical response.[1][5]
Can carprofen be given once daily or twice daily in dogs?
How is carprofen used around surgery in dogs?
For OstiFen chewable tablets, for the control of postoperative pain, administer approximately 2 hours before the procedure.[2]
For Carprox vet 50 mg tablets for dogs and Rimadyl Palatable Tablets, parenteral therapy may be followed with tablets at 4 mg/kg/day or 4mg/kg/day for up to 5 days to extend postoperative cover.[1][5]
What adverse effects are most often reported with carprofen in dogs?
Which drugs should be avoided with carprofen?
Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided, or approached cautiously with appropriate monitoring.[1][2]
Concomitant use of carprofen with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations.[2]
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Veterinarian · Reviewed 26 Oct 2026
References
- Carprox vet 50 mg tablets for dogs
Passage read from this source
Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided. 3.9 Administration routes and dosage For oral use. An initial dose of 2 to 4 mg carprofen per kg bodyweight per day is recommended to be given as a single or in two equally divided doses. Subject to clinical response, the dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day given as a single dose. In order to adjust the dosage, the tablets can be divided into two equal parts. To extend analgesic cover post-operatively, parenteral therapy with solution for injection may be followed with tablets at 4 mg/kg/day for up to 5 days. Duration of treatment will be dependent upon the response seen, but the dog’s condition…
- Label: OSTIFEN- carprofen tablet, chewable - DailyMed - NIH
Passage read from this source
Carprofen is an NSAID, and as with others in that class, adverse reactions may occur with its use. The most frequently reported effects have been gastrointestinal signs. Events involving suspected renal, hematologic, neurologic, dermatologic, and hepatic effects have also been reported. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be approached cautiously, with appropriate monitoring. Concomitant use of carprofen with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse reactions varies with the individual patient. Dogs that…
Always provide Client Information Sheet with prescription. Carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of OstiFen and other treatment options before deciding to use OstiFen. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. The recommended dosage for oral administration to dogs is 2 mg/lb of body weight daily. The total daily dose may be administered as 2 mg/lb of body weight once daily or divided and administered as 1 mg/lb twice daily. For the control of postoperative pain, administer approximately 2 hours before the procedure. OstiFen chewable tablets are scored and dosage should be calculated in half-tablet increments. Tablets can be halved by placing the tablet on a hard surface and pressing down on both…
In target animal safety studies, carprofen was administered orally to healthy Beagle dogs at 1, 3, and 5 mg/lb twice daily (1, 3, and 5 times the recommended total daily dose) for 42 consecutive days with no significant adverse reactions. Serum albumin for a single female dog receiving 5 mg/lb twice daily decreased to 2.1 g/dL after 2 weeks of treatment, returned to the pre-treatment value (2.6 g/dL) after 4 weeks of treatment, and was 2.3 g/dL at the final 6-week evaluation. Over the 6-week treatment period, black or bloody stools were observed in 1 dog (1 incident) treated with 1 mg/lb twice daily and 1 dog (2 incidents) treated with 3 mg/lb twice daily. Redness of the colonic mucosa…
Clinical field studies were conducted with 549 dogs of different breeds at the recommended oral doses for 14 days (297 dogs were included in a study evaluating 1 mg/lb twice daily and 252 dogs were included in a separate study evaluating 2 mg/lb once daily). In both studies the drug was clinically well tolerated and the incidence of clinical adverse reactions for carprofen-treated animals was no higher than placebo-treated animals (placebo contained inactive ingredients found in carprofen caplets). For animals receiving 1mg/lb twice daily, the mean post-treatment serum ALT values were 11 IU greater and 9 IU less than pre-treatment values for dogs receiving carprofen and placebo, respectively.
- Carprofen (2) - European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Passage read from this source
3/4 EMEA 1999 10. No data were provided on the microbiological properties of residues. However, there is no evidence from the data presented to suggest any microbiological hazard from this class of compound. 11. Carprofen has been used previously for over 10 years in human medicine at dosages of 150 to 600 mg/day. During clinical trials in humans carprofen was generally well tolerated. The majority of adverse effects were transient and mild such as gastrointestinal discomfort or pain and nausea. The incidence of side effects in humans is similar to those recorded with aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Carprofen is no longer marketed for human use having been withdrawn from the market on commercial grounds. No information is available…
- (carprofen) Caplets for Dogs S/NADA 141-053
Passage read from this source
Approval Date Sept. 27, 2001 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SUMMARY Rimadyl (carprofen) Caplets for Dogs S/NADA 141-053 August 20, 2001 Pfizer Inc 235 East 42 nd Street New York, New York 10017 Rimadyl Caplets - S/NADA 141-053 Table of Contents I. GENERAL INFORMATION Page 3 II. INDICATIONS FOR USE Page 3 III. DOSAGE FORM, ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION AND Page 3 RECOMMENDED DOSAGE IV. EFFECTIVENESS Page 3 A. Dosage Characterization Page 4 B. Dose Confirmation Page 4 V. ANIMAL SAFETY Page 8 VI. HUMAN SAFETY Page 8 VII. AGENCY CONCLUSIONS Page 9 VIII. LABELING Page 9 2 Rimadyl Caplets - S/NADA 141-053 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SUMMARY I. GENERAL INFORMATION NADA Number: 141-053 Sponsor: Pfizer Inc 235 East 42 nd…
Effect of Supplement: This supplement provides for flexibility in administration of the total daily dose of Rimadyl caplets. The drug may be administered orally at 2 milligrams per pound of body weight once daily or 1 milligram per pound of body weight twice daily. II. INDICATIONS FOR USE Rimadyl is indicated for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. III. DOSAGE FORM, ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION AND RECOMMENDED DOSAGE A. Dosage Form: Rimadyl is available as 25, 75, and 100 mg scored caplets. B. Route of Administration: Oral C. Recommended Dosage: The recommended dosage for oral administration to dogs is 2 mg/lb daily. The total daily dose may be administered as 2 mg/lb of…
The percentage of dogs with osteoarthritis that improved after five days of treatment with Rimadyl was 93% (40/43). Two dogs treated with Rimadyl experienced mild episodes of vomiting. Increased thirst was reported in one dog treated with Rimadyl . Three dogs treated with the positive control experienced vomiting. There were no other reports of suspected adverse drug reactions. The results of this study indicate that carprofen administered at a dose of 4 mg/kg (approximately 2 mg/lb) is effective for relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Dosage Selection Rationale:
iii. Control Drug: Placebo (same as carprofen caplet formulation except for the omission of the active ingredient). iv. Dosage Form: The caplets administered were the market formulation. 5 Rimadyl Caplets - S/NADA 141-053 v. Route of Administration: Oral vi. Dosages used: 2 mg/lb of carprofen given orally once daily. vii: Test Duration: 14 days
- Rimadyl Palatable Tablets 20 mg, 50 mg & 100 mg
Passage read from this source
An initial dose of 2 to 4 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day is recommended to be given as a single dose or in two equally divided doses. Subject to clinical response the dose may be reduced after 7 days to 2 mg carprofen/kg bodyweight/day given as a single daily dose. To extend analgesic and anti-inflammatory cover post operatively, parenteral therapy with Rimadyl Small Animal Injection may be followed with Rimadyl Palatable Tablets at 4mg/kg/day for up to 5 days. Duration of treatment will be dependent upon the response seen. Long term treatment should be under regular veterinary supervision.
- CARPROFEN tablet - DailyMed - NIH
Passage read from this source
Dogs were administered 2 mg/lb of carprofen tablets two hours prior to surgery then once daily, as needed for 2 days (soft tissue surgery) or 3 days (orthopedic ...
- VETone OstiFen® (carprofen) Sterile Injectable Solution
Passage read from this source
Dogs were administered 2 mg/lb of carprofen subcutaneously two hours prior to surgery and once daily thereafter, as needed, for 2 days (soft tissue surgery) or ...
- Carprofen for Osteoarthritis and Pain Management in Dogs
Passage read from this source
Carprofen's labeled dose is 4.4 mg/kg PO q24h ... A study done to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on carprofen dosage in dogs with OA found that dogs.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Animals
Passage read from this source
... dogs (acetaminophen, carprofen, etodolac), and horses (phenylbutazone). ... In dogs, the recommended dosage is 2 mg/lb, IM, twice weekly for up to 4 weeks ...
- A multicenter study of the effect of dietary supplementation ...
Passage read from this source
by DA Fritsch · 2010 · Cited by 211 — Procedures: In all dogs, the dosage of carprofen was standardized over a 3-week period to approximately 4.4 mg/kg/d (2 mg/lb/d), PO. Dogs were ...
For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.