Previcox

Previcox Tablets

What is Previcox?
Previcox (or Firocoxib) is a POM-V category medicine that can be prescribed by your vet for the treatment of painful, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or soft tissue injuries. Previcox is most widely available in tablet form that is usually very palatable. Previcox is available in 57mg or 227mg chewable tablet.

How Does Previcox work?
Previcox works by inhibiting the cell's production of chemicals that trigger inflammation

What is Previcox used for?
Previcox is useful in relieving the inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (Arthritis) is a painful condition that can affect an animal's joints. Arthritis is often seen in older animals due to the aging process, although some younger pets may develop this condition as a consequence of other illnesses such as hip dysplasia or cruciate disease in dogs.

How is Previcox Administered?
Previcox is given by mouth. It may be given with food to reduce the chance of stomach/intestinal side effects. Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your Vet. If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your Vet for advice. Previcox should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. For long-term use, use the lowest dose needed to provide relief.

Previcox is available in strengths of 57mg Previcox and 227mg Previcox

A Veterinary Pet Prescription is Required for Previcox

Why is Previcox better than other NSAIDs?

Previcox is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for pain relief and inflammation related to osteoarthritis in dogs. It is also sometimes prescribed short-term for the management of post-operative pain in dogs.

Previcox is manufactured and distributed by Merial Animal Health, and contains the active ingredient Firocoxib.

Previcox is a relatively new product to enter the market, and has been compared favourably to competing products used for dogs in clinical trials. Previcox is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, which means that it works to reduce both pain and inflammation without the use of steroids, and is mainly indicated in the treatment of dogs suffering with osteoarthritis and related conditions.

Why might my dog be prescribed Previcox?

If your dog has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the next step for them involves working out a treatment and management regime to keep them as mobile as possible, and to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with the condition.

Exactly how your vet decides to proceed with treatment for your dog’s osteoarthritis will depend on a range of factors, including the age of your dog, how mobile they are, and the effect that the condition is having on their quality of life. Your vet will also likely dictate a feeding and exercise regime for your dog to ensure that their weight is kept within healthy parameters and so, does not place any additional pressure on their joints, in order to allow your dog to stay mobile and reduce the effects that the condition has on their day to day life.

As osteoarthritic pain can be exacerbated by a lack of movement, and yet the pain itself can make your dog reluctant to move for fear of pain, reducing the pain and inflammation associated with the condition by means of prescribed medications can help to keep your dog comfortable and active, and reduce the effects of osteoarthritic flare-ups.

Hydrotherapy, massage therapy or other forms of supportive treatments may also be used for dogs with osteoarthritis in conjunction with medication.

Previcox may also be prescribed in some cases for the management of post-surgical pain as a short term solution to aid with recovery.

How does Previcox work?

Previcox is one of the group of NSAIDs. NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of chemical triggers by the body’s cells that produce inflammation. Different types of NSAIDs have slightly different actions, and so there is no one size fits all medication that is best across the board for all dogs.

The active ingredient in Previcox is Firocoxib, which is a medication from the coxib group. These medications work by selectively inhibiting the action of cyclo-oxygenase-2, or COX-2. This in turn leads to a reduction in pain and inflammation, and also has antipyretic properties for the reduction of heat or fever.

Firocoxib works by blocking the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme that is involved in producing prostaglandins. Prostaglandins can trigger pain, fever and inflammation, which means that Previcox reduces these effects.

How is Previcox administered?

Previcox comes in tablet form, and is given orally. Ideally, Previcox should be given with food to increase acceptance of the medication and reduce the possibility of stomach upsets as a result of taking the medication.

In the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs, the normal dosage rate is 5mg/kg of bodyweight given once daily. The duration of treatment will be decided in conjunction with the prescribing veterinary surgeon.

For the treatment of post-operative pain, the normal dosage rate is 5mg/kg of bodyweight once per day for up to three days, beginning around two hours after surgery. Treatment may be extended after the initial three days if this is warranted.

What are the advantages of using Previcox over other NSAIDs?

The long-term usage of NSAIDs in dogs is not without its risks, and your veterinary surgeon should review your dog’s care and medication protocols regularly, weighing up the risks versus the benefits of their medications in order to make an informed decision on how to proceed with a view to preserving a good quality of life for the dog, and extending their healthy lifespan.

Previcox has been demonstrated to provide fast-acting pain relief to dogs with fewer adverse effects than alternative products, with clinical trials returning results of outstanding efficacy with a low rate of negative side-effects.

Previcox has proven superior to the administration of commonly prescribed alternative NSAIDs such as Carprofen or Etodolac in terms of the short term and potential long term side effects that such medications can produce, but as with all NSAIDs, treatment and dosage should be regularly reviewed and kept at the lowest viable dosage rate to provide relief.

How can I get Previcox for my dog?

Previcox is a POM-V medication, which means that your vet must approve treatment with Previcox and issue you with a prescription for it in order to allow you to buy it.

Once you have been provided with a prescription for Previcox, you can use your prescription to purchase the medication from us.