Metacam 5mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats

Metacam 5 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs and Cats.

Presentation

One ml of the solution for injection contains 5 mg meloxicam as active ingredient and 150 mg anhydrous ethanol as preservative.

Uses

Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for use in dogs and cats.

Dogs:

Alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders. Reduction of post-operative pain and inflammation following orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.

Cats:

Reduction of post-operative pain after ovariohysterectomy and minor soft tissue surgery.

Dosage and administration

Dogs

Musculo-skeletal disorders

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.4 ml/10 kg body weight).

Metacam 1.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension for Dogs or Metacam 1.0 mg and 2.5 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs may be used for continuation of treatment at a dosage of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight, 24 hours after administration of the injection.

Reduction of post-operative pain (over a period of 24 hours)

Single intravenous or subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.4  ml/10 kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia.

Cats

Reduction of post-operative pain

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.3 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.06 ml/kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia.

Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing.

Avoid introduction of contamination during use.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.

Do not use in animals suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic disorders.

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Do not use in animals less than 6 weeks of age nor in cats of less than 2 kg.

Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of renal toxicity.

During anaesthesia, monitoring and fluid therapy should be considered as standard practice. Any oral follow-up therapy using meloxicam or other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) should not be administered in cats, as appropriate dosage regimens for such follow-up treatments have not been established.

Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, lethargy and renal failure have occasionally been reported. In very rare cases elevated liver enzymes have been reported.

In dogs, in very rare cases, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, haematemesis and gastrointestinal ulceration have been reported.

In dogs, these side effects occur generally within the first treatment week and are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal.

In very rare cases anaphylactoid reactions may occur and should be treated symptomatically.

If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought.

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Metacam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided. In animals at anaesthetic risk (e.g. aged animals) intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy during anaesthesia should be taken into consideration. When anaesthesia and NSAID are concomitantly administered, a risk for renal function cannot be excluded.

Pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such veterinary medicinal products should be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological properties of the products used previously.

Operator warnings

Accidental self-injection may give rise to pain. People with known hypersensitivity to NSAIDs should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Disposal Advice

Any unused product or waste materials derived from the product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

For animal treatment only.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Pharmaceutical precautions

Shelf life of broached vial: 28 days

Do not use after the expiry date stated on the carton and on the bottle.

Do not store above 25°C.

Legal category

POM-V

Packaging Quantities

Colourless glass injection vials of 10ml or 20ml sealed with a rubber stopper and aluminium cap.