Cartail (Carprofen 50mg) Tablets

Cartail general information

What is Cartail used for?

Cartail tablets 50mg are a medication used for dogs to treat and manage the pain and inflammation that can be caused by osteoarthritis.  Many dogs suffer from osteoarthritis, particularly as they age.  Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints and can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, particularly in the legs, hips and backbone, which can restrict your dog’s activity and cause lameness.  Cartail tablets 50mg can help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve your dog’s mobility.  Cartail 50 is also used to reduce pain following orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery in dogs.  Cartail tablets 50mg are intended for use for dogs only and should not be given to cats or other pets.

How does Cartail work?

Cartail tablets 50mg contain carprofen a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) belonging to the propionic acid class that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain relief) and antipyretic (reduces fever) properties.  NSAIDs inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme responsible for the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which are mediators of a variety of cellular processes as well as inflammation.  There are two COX enzymes, COX-1 which is needed for normal cell functions and COX-2 which is involved in the inflammatory process.  Carprofen in Cartail tablets 50mg acts is a selective COX-2 inhibitor resulting in anti-inflammatory activity which relieves the pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints caused by osteoarthritis.  Cartail tablets 50mg are fast acting and are effective within 1-3 hours. 

What does Cartail contain?

Cartail tablets 50mg contains the active ingredient carprofen a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis and surgery in dogs. 

Treating osteoarthritis in dogs with Cartail

Cartail tablets 50mg contains carprofen a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat dogs to help manage the pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.  Many dogs suffer from osteoarthritis, particularly as they age.  Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of the joints causing pain, swelling and stiffness, particularly in the legs, hips and backbone, which can restrict your dog’s activity and cause lameness.  Carprofen in Cartail 50 specifically inhibits the COX-2 enzyme responsible for the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which are mediators of inflammation.  The anti-inflammatory activity of carprofen in Cartail 50 relieves the pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints caused by osteoarthritis.  

What are the side effects of Cartail?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Cartail tablets 50mg include vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, lethargy and behavioural changes

When should Cartail not be used?

You should not use Cartail tablets 50mg if your dog:

• is allergic to carprofen or any other NSAID or any ingredients in Cartail
• is pregnant or lactating
• is dehydrated
• has a heart condition, liver or kidney disease or bleeding disorders 
• has been given other NSAID medication like meloxicam or firocoxib, corticosteroids, some heart drugs (ACE inhibitors), some drugs for seizure control

How should Cartail be given?

You should give your dog Cartail tablets 50mg by mouth and with food.  The recommended dose is 4.4mg per 1kg body weight (2.2lb) per day given, once or twice daily, depending on your dog’s response and your veterinarian’s recommendation.  This is equivalent to one tablet per day for a 12kg dog and two tablets per day for a 23kg dog.  You should see signs of improvement within a few days.  For the control of postoperative pain, you should give your dog Cartail tablets 50mg approximately 2 hours before the procedure.  You should continue to give Cartail 50 to your dog for as long as recommended by your veterinarian, which may be long term, as Cartail tablets 50mg will help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis in your dog but will not cure your dog’s condition.

How long should you give Cartail?

You should continue to give Cartail 50 to your dog for as long as recommended by your veterinarian, which may be long term, as. Cartail 50 will help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis in your dog but will not cure your dog’s condition.

Missed dose of Cartail

If you miss a dose of Cartail tablets 50mg give it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to give the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not give a double dose.  

How should Cartail be stored?

You should store your Cartail tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.