Tolfenamic Acid

Tolfenamic Acid In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• It inhibits cyclo-oxygenase, but unclear if it preferentially inhibits COX-2 over COX-1.
• COX inhibition reduces the production of prostaglandins associated with inflammation.
• Additionally, reported to directly antagonize prostaglandin receptors.

Uses of Tolfenamic acid

• Alleviation of inflammation and pain in dogs and cats.
• Also used in the management of chronic locomotor disease in dogs.
• Management of fever.

Dose of Tolfenamic acid in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• 4 mg/kg i.m., s.c., may be repeated once after 24 hours; 4 mg/kg p.o. for 3 days.
• Treatment starts with a single injection on day 1.
• The oral dosage regimen may be repeated once a week (i.e. 4 days of treatment with 3 days rest).

Cats:

• 4 mg/kg s.c., may be repeated once after 24 hours; 4 mg/kg p.o. for 3 days.
• Treatment starts with a single injection on day 1.
• Repeated dosing on a weekly basis is not recommended in cats.

Side Effects of Tolfenamic acid in Dogs and Cats

• GI signs are common in all animals after NSAID administration; discontinue therapy if signs persist beyond 1–2 days.
• Sensitivity to NSAIDs varies among animals; some may react to one NSAID but not another.
• Allow a 3–5-day washout period before starting another NSAID after discontinuing therapy.
• Cease therapy immediately if GI bleeding is suspected.
• The risk of NSAIDs precipitating cardiac failure in animals is unclear, though a small risk exists in humans.

Contraindications of Tolfenamic acid in Dogs and Cats

• Do not give to dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive patients or those with GI disease or blood clotting problems.
• Do not give to pregnant animals or animals <6 weeks old.
• Do not give i.m. to cats.

Some Notes:

• Injectable tolfenamic acid is approved for preoperative use in cats and dogs.
• Liver disease can prolong metabolism, leading to potential accumulation and overdose with repeated dosing.
• In cats, due to longer half-life and narrower therapeutic index, careful dosing is crucial, and using a 1 ml graduated syringe is recommended for accurate measurement.
• Use cautiously in renal diseases and perioperative periods, as it may affect renal perfusion during hypotension.
• Emerging evidence suggests that tolfenamic acid may have anticancer activity against certain tumor types based on in vitro models and dog tumor cell lines.