Deracoxib: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Anti-inflammatory

Also known as

Deramaxx

Species with doses

Dogs and Cats

General dose range

1–2 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Osteoarthritis pain and inflammation in dogs (chronic, lower dose)
• Post-operative pain (orthopaedic/dental surgery; higher short-term dose)
• Control of inflammatory musculoskeletal pain

Deracoxib dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Osteoarthritis (chronic): Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.357 (Deramaxx label): 1–2 mg/kg PO once daily as needed. Use the lowest effective dose; ensure hydration.
• Post-operative pain (short-term): Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.357 (label): 3–4 mg/kg PO once daily as needed, not beyond 7 days at this dose.

Cats

• Single-dose analgesia (limited data): Papich 5e: cats 1 mg/kg PO as a single dose. Not approved for cats; repeated dosing not established.

Contraindications

Pre-existing GI ulceration, renal or hepatic disease, dehydration/hypovolaemia, bleeding disorders, and concurrent corticosteroids or other NSAIDs (including aspirin) — observe washout periods when switching NSAIDs. Cats (not licensed — high NSAID sensitivity). Dehydrated or hypotensive surgical patients. Known NSAID hypersensitivity.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Not licensed for cats — feline NSAID sensitivity; use cat-specific NSAIDs (e.g. meloxicam, robenacoxib) at feline doses instead.

Adverse effects

• GI: vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, ulceration/perforation (reduced vs non-selective NSAIDs but real)
• Renal injury (especially with dehydration/hypotension)
• Hepatotoxicity (idiosyncratic)
• Melaena / GI bleeding

Drug interactions

• Other NSAIDs / corticosteroids (incl. aspirin): markedly increased GI ulceration risk — use washout when switching
• ACE inhibitors / diuretics: reduced efficacy and increased nephrotoxicity
• Aminoglycosides / other nephrotoxins: additive renal injury
• Highly protein-bound — displacement interactions

Pregnancy and lactation

Avoid in pregnancy/lactation (NSAID fetal effects; not established as safe).

Monitoring

• GI tolerance (vomiting, appetite, melaena)
• Renal and hepatic values at baseline and periodically on chronic therapy
• Hydration / blood pressure around surgery
• Use lowest effective chronic dose

Toxicity and overdose

Overdose causes GI ulceration/perforation, acute kidney injury and possible hepatotoxicity. The higher post-operative dose given to a dehydrated/hypotensive patient is a classic setup for renal injury and GI ulceration — hence the short-course restriction and hydration requirement.

Management: No specific antidote. Decontaminate if recent ingestion; IV fluid diuresis to protect kidneys; GI protectants (omeprazole/PPI, sucralfate, misoprostol) for ulceration; monitor renal/hepatic values and treat GI bleeding. Discontinue the drug.

Clinical pearls

• A palatable, once-daily canine coxib for osteoarthritis and post-op pain — remember the two dose ranges (low chronic OA vs higher short post-op)
• COX-2 selectivity lowers but does not remove GI/renal risk — give with food, keep dogs hydrated, never stack NSAIDs/steroids
• Observe a washout period when switching from another NSAID (or aspirin) to avoid GI catastrophe
• Baseline and periodic renal/hepatic bloodwork is good practice for chronic NSAID use
• Not for cats — feline NSAID sensitivity and no feline licence

Mechanism of action

Preferentially inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), the inducible enzyme producing prostaglandins of inflammation and pain, while largely sparing constitutive COX-1 (which maintains gastric mucosal and renal prostaglandins). This selectivity aims to deliver anti-inflammatory analgesia with comparatively less GI/renal prostaglandin disruption — though COX-2 also has homeostatic roles (renal, healing), so toxicity is reduced, not abolished.

Formulations and products

• 12 mg chewable tablet
• 25 mg chewable tablet
• 75 / 100 mg chewable tablet
• Deramaxx (Elanco (Novartis)) — 12 / 25 / 75 / 100 mg chewable, Chewable tablet

Storage

Chewables: 15–30 °C, dry; keep away from pets (palatable — accidental over-ingestion risk).

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other anti-inflammatory drugs

• Carprofen
• Dexamethasone
• Diclofenac
• Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
• Firocoxib
• Flunixin Meglumine
• Grapiprant
• Isoflupredone Acetate

Frequently asked questions