Prescribing overview
Previcox provides canine osteoarthritis and specified postoperative analgesia. COX selectivity does not remove gastrointestinal, renal or hepatic toxicity risk.
Key prescribing checks
- Obtain a thorough history and examination and appropriate baseline laboratory evaluation; the label recommends periodic testing during NSAID therapy.
- Avoid concurrent NSAIDs or corticosteroids, and plan appropriate washout intervals when changing drugs. Dehydration, diuretics and renal, cardiac or hepatic disease can increase risk.
- Counsel owners about gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic adverse effects and stopping/contact instructions for suspected intolerance. An additional pain need should trigger a clinician’s analgesia review rather than duplicate NSAID administration.
Uses by species
Approval and evidence apply to the named product, species, route and indication. An extra-label use requires its own prescribing assessment; a human indication is not an animal approval.
Dogs
FDA-approved Previcox indicationOsteoarthritis; soft-tissue or orthopedic postoperative pain and inflammation
Canine chewable label only.
Use / indication source ↗Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics
Mechanism and clinical role
Inhibits cyclooxygenase; canine whole-blood experiments show COX-2 selectivity of uncertain clinical significance.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
Fasted adult dogs: oral bioavailability approximately 38%, terminal half-life 7.8 hours; hepatic metabolism and fecal excretion.
SAFETY REFERENCE · PRODUCT & SPECIES SPECIFIC
Contraindications & cautions
Contraindications identify circumstances where the source says a product should not be used. Precautions call for assessment or monitoring. Interactions identify combinations to review. They are distinct categories; this summary does not replace a full interaction check or the current product label.
Previcox
U.S. canine oral chewable label.
Contraindications · when not to use
- Known firocoxib hypersensitivity.
Precautions & monitoring
- Dehydration and renal, cardiac or hepatic dysfunction increase NSAID risk; reproductive safety is unevaluated.
Safety sources checked: . Selected label information; independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review remains pending. A label for dogs, cats, horses or humans does not establish safety for another species.
Adverse effects
Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss; serious ulceration, renal or hepatic injury may occur.
These are selected source-reported effects, not incidence estimates or an exhaustive list. Spontaneous postmarketing reports do not by themselves establish frequency or causality.
Dosing & administration
| Species & indication | Labeled regimen | Eligibility & source |
|---|---|---|
| DogsOsteoarthritis or labeled postoperative pain/inflammationPrevicox chewable tablets | 5 mg/kg (2.27 mg/lb) Oral · Once daily Osteoarthritis: as needed; postoperative: 3 days as needed | May begin approximately 2 hours before surgery. Quarter-tablet increments; with/without food. Cannot accurately dose below 7 lb (3.2 kg). Verify full dosing label ↗ |
Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest responsive duration.
Extra-label prescribing and food-animal residue requirements are separate from labeled regimens. FDA extra-label-use guidance ↗
Drug & supplement interactions
This is a selected interaction reference, not an automated or comprehensive combination checker. Reconcile prescription drugs, nonprescription products, supplements and recent treatment changes.
Previcox
U.S. canine oral chewable label.
- Avoid other NSAIDs/corticosteroids; monitor potentially nephrotoxic and highly protein-bound combinations.
Monitoring
Baseline and periodic blood counts/chemistry; review hydration and concurrent NSAIDs or corticosteroids.
Client counseling
Stop and contact the veterinarian for intolerance, including dark stools or appetite changes.
This section supports the veterinary team's discharge discussion; it does not replace the product’s Client Information Sheet where one is required.
Storage & handling
15–30°C; use split tablets within 30 days.
Brands, formulations & ingredient identity
Active ingredients
Firocoxib
Previcox identifies firocoxib, not another coxib or an interchangeable pain medication.
The cited US label is for oral use in dogs. Sharing an ingredient with another formulation does not extend this product’s approval to other species.
Check tablet size, scoring and patient weight before dispensing. The label states that dogs below seven pounds cannot be accurately dosed with this product.
Shared ingredients do not establish interchangeable concentrations, routes, release properties, species labeling or regional availability.
Previcox
- Formulation
- Oral chewable tablets
- Label / product scope
- Dogs
Canine-labeled firocoxib product; tablet suitability depends on patient weight.
Product label / source ↗References & review status
Clinical reference updated October 16, 2026. Independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review not yet completed. Evidence gaps remain explicitly identified; this page does not claim equivalence to a comprehensive, professionally reviewed veterinary formulary.
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