Metacam Frequently Asked Questions
METACAM® Solution for Injection & METACAM® Oral Suspension
Q: What makes Metacam different than other NSAIDs?
A: Metacam is the only product presently on the market that is available for use as a liquid. Only a liquid allows easy, convenient and accurate dosing for dogs of all sizes.
Q: Can Metacam be used for long term use in the treatment of OA pain for dogs?
A: Yes. Metacam Oral Suspension has an unlimited duration of use for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs.
Q: How is Metacam Solution for Injection administered for dogs?
A: Metacam Solution for Injection can be administered either by the intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) routes.
Q: Are there any needle size requirements for Metacam Solution for Injection?
A: Not really. This product is an aqueous solution for injection that is very syringable even through a needle as small as 25 gauge.
Q: How does Metacam Solution for Injection compare to other approved injectable NSAIDs in the US?
A: Metacam Solution for Injection does not need to be refrigerated. It is not thick and viscous, thus it easily pulls through small gauge needles and requires approximately one-half the volume to treat the same bodyweight of dog as other injectable NSAIDS. For example, 1 mL of Metacam Solution for Injection will treat 55 pounds of dog, compared to 2 mL of Rimadyl® which will treat 50 pounds of dog.
Q: What side effects may occur when using Metacam?
A: The most common side effects of Metacam have been vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Metacam, as with all NSAIDs, can on occasion cause side effects involving the kidney and liver organ systems.
Q: What is meant by flexible dosing with Metacam?
A: Flexible dosing has dual meaning for Metacam. First, treatment can be initiated with Metacam Solution for Injection allowing the veterinarian to provide relief from OA pain more quickly, and then follow by dispensing Metacam Oral Suspension to the owner for follow up therapy. Second, Metacam is very flexible in that it provides precise dosing to the pound. Thus, if a dog loses weight as part of its overall OA treatment regimen, it is very easy to continue to provide correct dosing.
Q: Is Metacam Oral Suspension palatable?
A: Yes. In a field trial 9 out of 10 dogs readily accepted Metacam when it was placed onto the food.1
Q: How is Metacam Oral Suspension administered? Can I dose from the syringe?
A: Metacam can be dosed two different ways. For dogs greater than 10 lbs., it is easiest to use the dosing syringe. This syringe is calibrated in 5 lb. increments. For a 45 lb. dog, simply pull the suspension from the bottle into the dosing syringe to the 45 lb. mark. Then squirt the suspension onto the dog's food or directly into the dog's mouth. For dogs that weigh less than 5 lbs., the dosing is direct from the bottle onto the food. The tip of the bottle has been designed and calibrated to deliver one drop per lb. A 4 lb. dog would receive 4 drops onto the food. It is not recommended to dose a dog from the bottle tip directly into the mouth. Finally, dogs between 5 and 10 lbs. can be dosed either from the dosing syringe or the bottle tip, whichever one prefers. For dogs under 10 lbs., many owners prefer to apply drops directly from the bottle onto the food.
Q: Why is Metacam Oral Suspension better than tablets or caplets for dosing?
A: Metacam Oral Suspension allows precise dosing no matter what the dog weighs. With tablets or caplets, even if they are scored, it is difficult to get the exact dose for the dog's weight. The veterinarian is then forced to decide if he/she should go over or under the recommended label dose.
Q: How many doses are in a 10 mL, 32 mL, or 100 mL bottle of Metacam Oral Suspension?
A: This is completely dependent upon the weight of the dog. For example, a 45 lb. dog, would get 7, 23, and 73 days of treatment from a 10, 32, and 100 mL bottle, respectively.
Q: How can I recommend Metacam Oral Suspension to my clients with confidence?
A: Metacam has a 12 year proven track record globally with excellent efficacy and safety profiles.
Q: Is Metacam labeled for other species and indications in other countries?
A: Yes. In Europe, Canada, and Australia, Metacam usage in dogs is also indicated to alleviate post-operative pain. Note: Metacam Solution for Injection has just received approval in the U.S. for use in cats for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration when administered prior to surgery.
Q: What is the advantage of using Metacam Oral Suspension in small dogs?
A: The advantage is precise, convenient dosing by using the calibrated bottle tip to deliver one drop per pound bodyweight. No need to pill a dog or try to split tablets or caplets hoping to achieve the correct dose.
Q: Is Metacam safe for long term usage on older animals?
A: Throughout the world, Metacam is used safely in older pets. Many older pets are perfectly healthy except that they are experiencing osteoarthritis. Their liver, kidney and other organ functions are within normal parameters. For this set of older patients Metacam would be expected to be safe for long term use. However, many older pets have more than one health issue occurring at the same time, e.g., OA and early renal or liver failure. Also, the health status of older patients can change. It is still possible to use Metacam for long term use, but these pets should be monitored more closely by the owner's veterinarian to ensure that the use of Metacam does not further exacerbate other underlying conditions.
Q: Is it a preferred protocol to administer Metacam in the oral form after a meal due to the potential for general G.I. upset?
A: No, it does not matter. Metacam Oral Suspension can be administered either directly onto the food or into the mouth. For dogs less than 5 pounds, the dosing is direct from the bottle onto the food. The tip of the bottle has been designed and calibrated to deliver one drop per lb. A 4 lb. dog would receive 4 drops onto the food. If given directly into the mouth, it is not a requirement to provide food with the treatment.
Q: Does Metacam provide the same efficacy Sub-Q or PO?
A: In the dog, a Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. study demonstrated that meloxicam is 100% bioavailable whether it is administered by the SC or oral routes.1 This suggests that efficacy by either route of administration is similar.
Q: When should I give Metacam Solution for Injection?
A: Metacam Solution for Injection is approved only to be administered as the first dose for OA treatment in the dog at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg. Subsequent treatments are to be given using Metacam Oral Suspension.
Q: Is Metacam safe to use in conjunction with other medicines?
A: Specific studies looking at the compatibility of Metacam and other drugs have not been conducted. The respective effect of each drug must be considered from a pharmacological point of view. We know that many drugs have been safely used concurrently with Metacam. These may include heartworm preventatives, vaccination regimens, thyroid supplements, many antibiotics, etc.
Some other drugs are also highly protein bound and should be monitored closely when used in conjunction with Metacam. Examples include ACE inhibitors and certain medicines for seizure control.
However, because of the mechanism of action for Metacam, it is imperative that certain pharmaceuticals never be used at the same time. These include other NSAIDS, (Deramaxx,® Rimadyl,® Etogesic,® Zubrin,™ and others not approved such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), corticosteroids, and other drugs that are either nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic.
Nevertheless, regardless of medication that is administered with Metacam, it is important to realize that every dog is individual and side effects can, therefore, vary.
1Data on file
Deramaxx is a registered trademark of Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.
Rimadyl is a registered trademark of Pfizer Animal Health
Etogesic is a registered trademark of Fort Dodge Animal Health
Zubrin is a trademark of Schering-Plough Animal Health