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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: My 3-1/2-year-old
chow/boxer mix has been on Rimadyl (cq) for six months. He has arthritis,
and as a pain medication, this drug works OK. However, I’m concerned about
long-term usage. Should I periodically stop and then re-start the medication?
I’m also concerned about the expense; I currently pay $68 for 100 tablets.
Will the price go down? Will a generic soon be available? — S.P., Portland,
Ore.
A: Great questions.
Dr. Peter Eeg, a veterinarian in Boyds, Md., participated in clinical
trials for Rimadyl. He says that on 7-year trials, .003 percent of participating
dogs experienced some liver problems. If you’re concerned, it’s certainly
reasonable to suggest that your vet check your dog’s liver values with
a blood test once or twice a year. Some vets strongly suggest this.
Otherwise, Eeg and
other experts we spoke with concur that the evidence, so far, shows Rimadyl
is safe. However, it’s still a relatively new drug.
You mention the medication
works "OK." Rimadyl often works better than merely OK. Eeg explains
the recommended dosage is one mg. per pound twice a day. Used twice a
day, it will control inflammation, and your dog will benefit from continual
pain-killing action. The latter is why you shouldn’t stop the drug. However,
don’t increase the dosage without consulting with your vet.
As for the price,
Rimadyl, like many new medications for people or pets, doesn’t come cheap.
Denise Ulrich, marketing and communications manager at Pfizer Animal Health,
in Exton, Pa., manufacturers of Rimadyl, says, "The profit we make
off current medications allows us to pursue research and development for
new products. A tremendous amount of research was involved in Rimadyl,
which was an all new kind of treatment."
We guess this is
the company’s corporate way of saying, don’t expect a price decrease anytime
soon. As for a generic, don’t hold your breath. However, price is all
relative. If your dog is pain free, perhaps Rimadyl is actually a pretty
good value.
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