# NSAIDs and Corticosteroids Interaction in Dogs: Risks and Management

> Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient.

- Source page: https://wevet.in/interactions/nsaids-and-corticosteroids-interaction/
- Type: Drug interaction
- Publisher: WeVet
- Updated: 2026-11-01
- Audience: veterinarians and veterinary students

Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient [2][4].

## Risks of Combining NSAIDs and Corticosteroids in Dogs

- **Gastrointestinal:** The concurrent use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids should be avoided due to the potential for gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation [4][2].
- **Adverse Reactions:** Increased adverse reactions may occur, such as gastrointestinal issues, particularly in patients with dehydration or existing gastrointestinal conditions [2][5].
- **Sensitivity Variation:** Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient [4].

## Monitoring and Managing NSAID-Corticosteroid Combinations

- **Adverse Event Awareness:** Be vigilant for signs of gastrointestinal distress or ulceration when using these drugs together [5].
- **Risk Factors:** Pay special attention to patients with risk factors for renal, gastrointestinal, or hepatic issues while on these medications [4].

## Considerations for Dogs Using NSAIDs and Corticosteroids

- **Gastrointestinal Risk:** Combining NSAIDs and corticosteroids can increase the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration or perforation in dogs [1].
- **Patient Sensitivity:** Sensitivity to adverse effects may vary greatly among individual dogs [5].
- **Clinical Monitoring:** Careful clinical monitoring is necessary when administering this combination, especially in patients with underlying health issues [4].

## Interaction at a glance

| Drugs | Severity | Effect | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs and corticosteroids | Concomitant use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids should be avoided in dogs [1][4][5]. | Concomitant use can increase adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations, and corticosteroids may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration in animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [3][5]. | Never give aspirin or corticosteroids, such as prednisone, along with an NSAID to your dog [2]. |
| Coxiba Chewable Tablets (deracoxib) and corticosteroids | Coxiba Chewable Tablets should not be given with corticosteroids [1]. | The deracoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or perforation [1]. | Consider appropriate washout times when switching from corticosteroid use to NSAID use [1]. |
| PREVICOX Chewable Tablets (firocoxib) and corticosteroids | PREVICOX should not be given with corticosteroids [4]. | The firocoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation [4]. | Concomitant use of Previcox Chewable Tablets with corticosteroids should be avoided [4]. |
| Rimadyl (carprofen) and corticosteroids | Concomitant use of Rimadyl with corticosteroids should be avoided [5]. | Concomitant use may increase adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations [5]. | Concurrent administration of Rimadyl with corticosteroids should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions [5]. |

## Why NSAIDs and corticosteroids interact

- In animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration [3].
- The deracoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or perforation, so concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided [1].
- The firocoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation, and concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided [4].
- The carprofen label states that concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations [5].
- A Clinician’s Brief summary states that both corticosteroids and NSAIDs are known to cause adverse effects in dogs and cats [6].

## Frequently asked questions

### What are the risks of combining NSAIDs and corticosteroids in dogs?

Combining NSAIDs and corticosteroids increases the risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and perforation in dogs [1][4].

### How should I monitor dogs receiving NSAIDs and corticosteroids together?

Clinical monitoring is crucial for dogs receiving NSAIDs and corticosteroids together, especially those with pre-existing health issues [4].

### Why should NSAIDs and corticosteroids not be used together in dogs?

The concurrent use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids should be avoided due to the potential for gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation [4][2]. In animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration [3].

### Which dogs need extra caution if NSAIDs and corticosteroids are administered together?

Increased adverse reactions may occur, such as gastrointestinal issues, particularly in patients with dehydration or existing gastrointestinal conditions [2][5]. Pay special attention to patients with risk factors for renal, gastrointestinal, or hepatic issues while on these medications [4].

### Do individual dogs vary in their risk of adverse effects from NSAID-corticosteroid combinations?

Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient [4]. Sensitivity to adverse effects may vary greatly among individual dogs [5].

### What do deracoxib, firocoxib, and carprofen labels say about concomitant corticosteroid use?

The deracoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or perforation, so concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided [1]. The firocoxib label states that NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulceration and/or gastrointestinal perforation, and concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided [4]. The carprofen label states that concomitant use with corticosteroids should be avoided because of the potential increase of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or perforations [5].

## References

[1] DailyMed - COXIBA- deracoxib tablet, chewable — dailymed.nlm.nih.gov (Feb 16, 2026). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=da8eb919-ffab-4f55-9236-c2da5993698c
[2] Controlling Pain and Inflammation in Your Dog with NSAIDs — www.fda.gov (Jan 6, 2025). https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/controlling-pain-and-inflammation-your-dog-nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs
[3] SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY ... — www.vmd.defra.gov.uk. https://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_2280453.PDF
[4] PREVICOX® (firocoxib) Chewable Tablets - DailyMed — dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=e6d96ec6-04a4-4986-ac9d-82aa79b28bd4
[5] Dog Owner Information about Chewable Tablets (carprofen) — animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov. https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadLabeling/363
[6] Corticosteroid & NSAID Interactions — www.cliniciansbrief.com. https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/corticosteroid-nonsteroidal-antiinflammatory-drug-interactions

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Numbers in [brackets] cite the references above. For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.
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