Metacam (Meloxicam) Oral Suspension for Dogs, 1.5 mg/mL, 32-mL

Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan and may suggest that your dog try METACAM® oral suspension for an initial period to ensure good clinical response and no side effects. Your veterinarian may ask you to report back or return with your dog for a follow-up evaluation to determine if treatment should continue. Osteoarthritis (OA) is an incurable chronic, progressive disease, that will require management for the remainder of your dog’s life. Pain and inflammation control is a big part of that management, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like METACAM oral suspension, have a trusted track record of being safe and effective at controlling joint pain and inflammation associated with OA.1 You can feel comfortable giving METACAM oral suspension knowing that it has been safely used to treat dogs with OA around the US for over 15 years. 1. Sanderson RO, Beata C, Flipo RM, et al. Systematic review of the management of canine osteoarthritis. Vet Rec. 2009;164(14):418-424. ### How does METACAM® oral suspension work? METACAM® oral suspension targets and relieves both the pain and inflammation caused by OA. Relief from arthritis pain can help restore mobility, allowing your dog to return to many of the activities that you both previously enjoyed. Best of all, it can be given once daily, which provides a full 24 hours of relief. Please note that METACAM NSAID needs to be given consistently, every day to ensure it works and your dog gets the full benefit.

Aspirin is a drug that is not approved for use in animals. Aspirin should not be given concurrently with METACAM® oral suspension therapy. Also, METACAM oral suspension should not be given with other anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone, Rimadyl® (carprofen), ibuprofen, PREVICOX® (firocoxib) or Deramaxx® (deracoxib). Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications your dog is taking before beginning treatment with METACAM anti-inflammatory.

METACAM® (meloxicam oral suspension) therapy is one of a number of things that may help relieve your dog’s osteoarthritis pain. Your veterinarian may suggest a weight loss program or exercise regimen. Talk to your veterinarian before starting your dog on any weight loss or exercise plan. You can also help to make your dog as comfortable as possible by providing a soft place to sleep and keeping him or her warm. Performing massage and physical therapy on your dog as directed by your veterinarian can relieve joint stiffness and increase range of motion. In addition, raising food and water bowls to avoid neck strain, installing ramps to avoid your dog having to use stairs, putting non-skid runners on slippery surfaces, and other such supportive measures can help make daily activities less painful.

Just as many children's medicines come in liquid rather than pill form, liquid METACAM® oral suspension is designed to make it easier to administer the right dose to dogs. METACAM anti-inflammatory is made in a smooth liquid form so that dog owners can dispense it easily from the syringe. Because it's liquid, it is easy to adjust the dose in small increments using the precise measured syringe. It is easily applied to the dog's food or given directly into the dog's mouth, has a sweet honey-flavored taste, and dogs love it. METACAM, the first NSAID available as an oral suspension, offers a highly convenient treatment option to dog owners and allows for accurate dosing for any size dog—something that chewable tablets cannot always achieve.

Because of METACAM® oral suspension’s liquid formulation, you can give the lowest effective dose to dogs of all sizes. For dogs less than 2 pounds, you will need to use a dropper instead of the syringe and apply the product directly to the dog’s food.

METACAM® NSAID is safe for most dogs when used as directed. You should only use METACAM oral suspension for dogs under the direction of a veterinarian and give precisely the dose prescribed. While METACAM oral suspension has been approved for safety and efficacy, there is a risk of side effects or adverse reactions in some canines. Consult with your veterinarian to determine whether METACAM anti-inflammatory is the best choice for your dog.

The most common side effects are vomiting and soft stool or diarrhea. These are usually mild and affect primarily the gastrointestinal system, but more serious side effects can occur. Therefore, NSAIDs should only be administered under the direction of a licensed professional. If you notice side effects in your dog during treatment, stop the drug and call your veterinarian. Please refer to the full prescribing information for more information.

The safe use of METACAM® (meloxicam oral suspension) in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. With your veterinarian, carefully consider the potential benefits and risk of METACAM oral suspension and other treatment options before deciding to use METACAM oral suspension. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response.

METACAM® oral suspension is not an antibiotic. METACAM® oral suspension, also known as meloxicam, is a long-acting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved to control pain and inflammation associated with OA.

The effects of METACAM® oral suspension can last for up to 24 hours. METACAM anti-inflammatory is made to be given once a day, making it a good solution for dogs with persistent or chronic pain and those who need long-lasting pain relief associated with OA. METACAM oral suspension reduces symptoms and alleviates inflammation associated with OA, but it does not cure OA. It is important to note that symptoms of OA may return or get worse if you stop using METACAM anti-inflammatory.

METACAM® oral suspension takes 1 to 2 hours to start working, with sustained effects that last for up to a day. For dogs with chronic OA pain and inflammation, it may take 3 to 4 days to notice signs of improvement. Your veterinarian can give you guidance on what to expect when giving your dog METACAM NSAID.

METACAM® oral suspension does not usually make dogs sleepy. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog seems sleepy or lethargic after taking METACAM anti-inflammatory. Sleepiness may be an unusual side effect, the result of a drug interaction, or a sign of another issue that needs to be evaluated by your veterinarian.

For any specific product questions, please call Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health toll-free customer service line number at 1-888-637-4251.