VÉTOQUINOL Cimalgex 80 mg for dogs 16 chewable tablets

Treatment of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, and the management of perioperative pain due to orthopaedic or soft tissue surgery in dogs

Cimalgex 80 mg chewable tablets for dogs

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each tablet contains:

Active substance:
Cimalgex 80 mg cimicoxib 80 mg

For a full list of excipients see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Chewable tablets.
Oblong, white to pale brown, chewable tablets with a break-line on both sides. The tablets can be divided into equal halves.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Dogs

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

For the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, and the management of perioperative pain due to orthopaedic or soft tissue surgery, in dogs.

4.3 Contraindications

Do no use in dogs less than 10 weeks of age.
Do not use in dogs suffering from gastrointestinal disorders or haemorrhagic disorders.
Do not use concomitantly with corticosteroids or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to cimicoxib or to any of the excipients. Do not use in breeding, pregnant and lactating animals.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species

None.

4.5 Special precautions for use

Special precautions for use in animals

Since the safety of the medicinal product has not been adequately demonstrated in young animals, careful monitoring is advised during the treatment of young dogs aged less than 6 months.
Use in animals suffering from impaired cardiac, renal or hepatic function, may involve additional risk. If such use cannot be avoided, these animals require careful veterinary monitoring.

Avoid using this product in any animals which are dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive, as it may increase the risk of renal toxicity.

Use this veterinary medicinal product under strict veterinary monitoring where there is a risk of gastrointestinal ulceration, or if the animal previously displayed intolerance to NSAIDs.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

Cimicoxib may cause skin sensitisation. Wash hands after use.
In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
People with a known hypersensitivity to cimicoxib should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Mild and transient gastro-intestinal disorders (vomiting and/or diarrhoea) were very commonly reported.

On rare occasions, serious gastrointestinal disorders such as haemorrhage and ulcer formation have been noted. Other adverse reactions including anorexia or lethargy may also be observed on rare occasions.

In very rare cases, increases in renal biochemistry parameters were noted. As for any long term NSAID treatment, renal function should be monitored.

If any observed adverse effect persists after stopping treatment, the advice of a veterinarian should be sought.

If adverse reactions such as persistent vomiting, repeated diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, sudden weight loss, anorexia, lethargy or worsening of renal or hepatic biochemistry parameters occur, use of the product should be discontinued and appropriate monitoring and/or treatment should be put in place.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Do not use in breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches. Although no data are available in dogs, studies with laboratory animals have shown effects on their fertility and foetal development.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Cimalgex should not be administered in conjunction with corticosteroids or other NSAIDs. Pretreatment with other anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such drugs should be observed before the commencement of treatment with Cimalgex. The treatment-free period should take into account the pharmacokinetic properties of the veterinary medicinal product used previously.

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

Oral use.

Cimalgex tablets can be administered with or without food. The tablets are flavoured and studies (in healthy Beagle dogs) show they are likely to be taken voluntarily by most dogs.

The recommended dose of cimicoxib is 2 mg per kg bodyweight, once daily, according to the dosage table below:

3.0 – 4.0 kg: 1 tablet of Cimalgex 8 mg
4.1 – 7.5 kg: 1/2 tablet of Cimalgex 30 mg
7.6 – 15.0 kg: 1 tablet of Cimalgex 30 mg
15.1 – 20.0 kg: 1/2 tablet of Cimalgex 80 mg
20.1 – 40.0 kg: 1 tablet of Cimalgex 80 mg
40.1 – 60.0 kg: 1+1/2 tablet of Cimalgex 80 mg
>60.1 kg: 2 tablets of Cimalgex 80 mg

Treatment duration:
Management of peri-operative pain due to orthopaedic or soft tissue surgeries: one dose 2 hours prior to surgery, followed by 3 to 7 days of treatment, based on the judgment of the attending veterinarian.
Relief of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis: 6 months. For longer-term treatment, regular monitoring should be undertaken by the veterinarian.

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary

In an overdose study where 3 times (5.8 to 11.8 mg/kg body weight) and 5 times (9.7 to 19.5 mg/kg body weight) the recommended dose was administered to dogs for a period of 6 months, a dose related increase in gastrointestinal disturbances, which affected all dogs in the highest dose group, was noted.

Similar dose related changes to haematology and white blood cell counts, as well as renal integrity, were also noted.

As with any NSAID, overdose may cause gastrointestinal, kidney, or liver toxicity in sensitive or compromised dogs.

There is no specific antidote to this product. Symptomatic, supportive therapy is recommended consisting of administration of gastrointestinal protective agents and infusion of isotonic saline.

4.11 Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, ATCvet code: QM01AH93

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Cimicoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug belonging to the coxib group and acting by selective inhibition of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase 2. The cyclo-oxygenase enzyme (COX) is present in two isoforms. COX-1 is usually a constitutive enzyme expressed in tissues, which synthesize products responsible for normal physiologic functions (e.g. in the gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys). COX-2 on the other hand, is mainly inducible and synthesized by macrophages and inflammatory cells after stimulation by cytokines and other mediators of inflammation. COX-2 is involved in the production of mediators, including PGE2, that induce pain, exudation, inflammation and fever.

In an in vivo inflammatory acute pain model, it was shown that the simulated effect of cimicoxib lasted for approximately 10-14 hours.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

After oral administration in dogs at the recommended dose of 2 mg/kg without food, cimicoxib is rapidly absorbed and the time to maximal concentration (Tmax) is 2.25 (± 1.24) hours. The peak concentration (Cmax) is 0.3918 (± 0.09021) µg/ml, area under the curve (AUC) is 1.676 (± 0.4735) µg.hr/ml, and oral bioavailability is 44.53 (± 10.26) percent.

The oral administration of cimicoxib with food did not significantly influence the bioavailability but decreased significantly the observed Tmax.

Metabolism of cimicoxib is extensive. The major metabolite, demethylated cimicoxib is mainly eliminated in faeces by the biliary route and, to a lesser extent, in urine. The other metabolite, glucuronide conjugate of the demethylated cimicoxib, is eliminated in urine. The elimination half-life (t1/2) is 1.38 (± 0.24) hours. The metabolising enzymes have not been fully investigated and slower metabolism (up to four-fold increased exposure) has been noted in some individuals.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Lactose monohydrate
Povidone K25
Crospovidone
Sodium laurylsulfate
Macrogol 400
Sodium stearyl fumarate
Pork liver powder

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years