# Deracoxib: veterinary dose and monograph

> Deracoxib is a veterinary anti-inflammatory drug. Coxib-class (COX-2-selective) NSAID licensed for dogs (Deramaxx) — provides anti-inflammatory analgesia for osteoarthritis and post-operative (notably orthopaedic/dental) pain, with COX-2 selectivity intended to spare protective COX-1… Indications include osteoarthritis pain and inflammation in dogs (chronic, lower dose); post-operative pain (orthopaedic/dental surgery; higher short-term dose); control of inflammatory musculoskeletal pain. This monograph lists 3 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/deracoxib · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Deracoxib doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Osteoarthritis (chronic) | 1–2 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |
| Post-operative pain (short-term) | 3–4 mg/kg | PO | q24h | ≤7 days |

- 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

*Deracoxib doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-dose analgesia (limited data) | 1 mg/kg | PO | single dose | — |

- 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

> **Caution:** 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

> **Caution:** 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](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/carprofen)
- [Dexamethasone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dexamethasone)
- [Diclofenac](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/diclofenac)
- [Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/dmso)
- [Firocoxib](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/firocoxib)
- [Flunixin Meglumine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/flunixin)
- [Grapiprant](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/grapiprant)
- [Isoflupredone Acetate](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/isoflupredone)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Deracoxib for dogs?

Reference doses for Deracoxib in dogs: 1–2 mg/kg PO q24h (Osteoarthritis (chronic)); 3–4 mg/kg PO q24h for ≤7 days (Post-operative pain (short-term)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Deracoxib for cats?

Reference doses for Deracoxib in cats: 1 mg/kg PO single dose (Single-dose analgesia (limited data)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Deracoxib not be used?

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.

### What are the side effects of Deracoxib in animals?

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

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.