Metacam 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension for dogs Species: Dogs Therapeutic indication: Pharmaceuticals: Neurological preparations: Analgesics, Pharmaceuticals: Anti-inflammatory preparations: Oral: Other NSAIDs, Pharmaceuticals: Locomotor (including navicular and osteoarthritis) Active ingredient: Meloxicam Product:Metacam® 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension for dogs Product index: Metacam 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension for dogs Presentation Yellowish viscous oral suspension with a green tinge. One ml contains 1.5 mg meloxicam as active substance (equivalent to 0.05 mg per drop) and 1.5 mg sodium benzoate (equivalent to 0.05 mg per drop). Uses Alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in dogs. Dosage and administration Initial treatment is a single dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. For longer term treatment, once clinical response has been observed (after ≥ 4 days), the dose of Metacam can be adjusted to the lowest effective individual dose reflecting that the degree of pain and inflammation associated with chronic musculo-skeletal disorders may vary over time. Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. Shake well before use. To be administered orally either mixed with food or directly into the mouth. The suspension can be given using either the drop dispenser of the bottle (for very small breeds) or the measuring syringe provided in the package. Dosing procedure using the drop dispenser of the bottle: Initial dose: 4 drops /kg body weight Maintenance dose: 2 drops /kg body weight. Dosing procedure using the measuring syringe: The syringe fits onto the drop dispenser of the bottle and has a kg-body weight scale which corresponds to the maintenance dose. Thus for initiation of the therapy on the first day, twice the maintenance volume will be required. Alternatively therapy may be initiated with Metacam 5 mg/ml solution for injection. A clinical response is normally seen within 3–4 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 10 days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent. Avoid introduction of contamination during use. Contra-indications, warnings, etc Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals. Do not use in dogs suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic disorders. Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Do not use in dogs less than 6 weeks of age. Special precautions for use in animals Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of renal toxicity. This product for dogs should not be used in cats as it is not suitable for use in this species. In cats, Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats should be used. Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, lethargy and renal failure have very rarely been reported from post-marketing safety experience. Very rare cases of haemorrhagic diarrhoea, haematemesis, gastrointestinal ulceration and elevated liver enzymes have been reported from post-marketing safety experience. These side effects occur generally within the first treatment week and are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal. If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought. The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention: • very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reactions) • common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated) • uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated) • rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated) • very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports). The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Metacam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such drugs should be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological properties of the products used previously. In case of overdose, symptomatic treatment should be initiated. Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals People with known hypersensitivity to Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. This product can cause eye irritation. In case of contact with the eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with water. Pharmaceutical precautions Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years. Shelf-life after first opening the immediate packaging: 6 months. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. For animal treatment only. Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Legal category Legal category: POM-V Packaging quantities Polyethylene bottle containing 10 ml, 32 ml, 100 ml or 180 ml with a polyethylene dropper and a tamper proof child resistant closure. Each bottle is packed in a cardboard box and is equipped with a polypropylene measuring syringe. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.