ATCvet code: QM01AE91
Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic product, non-steroids.
Pharmacodynamics
Carprofen is a member of the 2-arylpropionic acid group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity.
Carprofen, like most other NSAIDs is an inhibitor of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase of the arachidonic acid cascade. However, the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by carprofen is slight in relation to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic potency.
At therapeutic doses in the dog inhibition of the products of cyclo-oxygenase (prostaglandins and thromboxanes) or lipoxygenase (leukotrienes) has been absent or slight. Since prostaglandin inhibition is thought to underlie the principal toxic side effects of NSAIDs, lack of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition may explain the excellent gastro-intestinal and renal tolerance of carprofen seen in this species. The precise mode of action of carprofen is not clear.
Following repeated therapeutic dosing for 8 weeks, carprofen has been shown to have no detrimental effect on chronically arthritic canine cartilage in a model of canine osteoarthritis.
In addition, therapeutic concentrations of carprofen have been demonstrated (in vitro) to increase proteoglycan synthesis in chondrocytes from canine arthritic cartilage.
Stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis will narrow the difference between the rate of degradation and regeneration of cartilage matrix resulting in a slowing of the progression of cartilage loss.