Flexoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used for inflammatory conditions, providing analgesic and antipyretic effects. It is prescribed for cats primarily for musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, arthrosis, bursitis, and others.
Composition and release form
The active ingredient in Flexoprofen is ketoprofen. Other ingredients include:
| Auxiliary components | Action |
| L-arginine | Promotes rapid regeneration and enhances immune function. It also normalizes vascular tone and blood circulation in the body. |
| Citric acid | Stimulates cell regeneration, which leads to improved metabolism and other biochemical processes |
| Benzyl alcohol | It has a disinfecting effect |
| Water for injection | It is a conductor for all auxiliary components. |
The drug is available as a solution in 10, 50, and 100 ml bottles. It is light yellow or clear in color. Each ml of Flexoprofen may contain 25, 50, or 100 mg of the active ingredient.
It has a shelf life of up to 36 months from the date of manufacture without any special requirements. Store the bottle with the lid closed at a temperature of 5-25°C in a dry place protected from ultraviolet rays.
If stored at around 50°C (122°F), a sediment of small white crystals may appear at the bottom of the bottle. These will dissolve as the temperature rises. This does not indicate that the medication has lost its potency. It is still usable, and all active ingredients remain at the same concentration.
Prescription of the drug
Indications for the use of Flexoprofen are inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, namely:
- osteoarthritis - deformation of the articular heads and surfaces of bones;
- spondyloarthrosis - loss of joint mobility;
- intervertebral hernia - a herniated protrusion between the vertebrae;
- rheumatoid arthritis - damage to small joints;
- gouty arthritis - deposition of uric acid salts in the joints;
- extra-articular rheumatism - damage to periarticular tissues.
The drug has a symptomatic effect. It is prescribed for high fever and muscle strains. Flexoprofen is used in the postoperative period to relieve pain. Medicine prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian and taken according to recommendations. Treatment should be carried out without interruption, since a single dose failure may lead to a decrease in the therapeutic effect.
Contraindications
Flexoprofen is not recommended for use in cats with certain medical conditions, namely:
- allergic reaction to the components of the drug;
- chronic liver pathologies;
- renal and hepatic failure;
- gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer;
- hemorrhagic syndrome.
The drug is prohibited for use in pregnant cats (at any stage) and during lactation.
Instructions for use
Flexoprofen can be administered to an animal in the following ways:
- subcutaneous;
- intramuscular;
- intravenous.
For acute pain or fever, intravenous administration is recommended for faster results, but the choice remains with the doctor. Combining Flexoprofen with other medications in the same syringe is prohibited (even vitamin supplements). It is also not recommended to take it concurrently with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants.
According to the instructions, the dosage is calculated based on the cat's body weight. There are 2 mg of medicine per 1 kg of weight. When calculating, it's also important to consider the drug's concentration. If it's 2.5%, then 1 ml contains 25 mg of active ingredient. If that's 2 mg per 1 kg, then 2/25 = 0.08 ml. If the animal weighs, for example, 5 kg, then 0.08 x 5 = 0.4 ml of solution.
The injection is administered once daily, following all instructions. The course of treatment is up to 5 days, depending on the severity of the condition.
Possible side effects
If the dosage is exceeded, the following conditions may occur:
- diarrhea;
- vomit;
- lack of appetite;
- general weakness of the body.
To avoid side effects, it is not recommended to exceed the daily dosage. If such symptoms occur, discontinue the medication. If your cat's condition does not improve after discontinuing Flexoprofen, notify your veterinarian.
Analogues
Flexoprofen is an effective anti-inflammatory medication. If it's unavailable, or your pet has an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients, consider choosing a different medication.
Analogues of Flexoprofen are:
- Ainil;
- Onsior;
- Loxicom;
- Ketoquin.
Ainil
The active ingredient of the drug is ketoprofen. Available as 1% and 10% injection solutions. The composition is completely identical to Flexoprofen. The 1% solution is well suited for treating young kittens.
Onsior
The active substance is robenacoxib. It is available in tablets of 5, 6, 10, and 20 mg. Difficulties arise due to the dosage form, as it is more difficult to calculate the exact dosage. If a cat weighs less than 2.5 kg, the drug should not be given to it.
Loxicom
The active ingredient is meloxicam. It is a suspension for oral administration at 0.05% and 0.15%. Unlike Flexoprofen, the effect does not occur immediately; maximum concentration in the body is reached after 4–6 hours.
Ketoquin
The active ingredient is ketoprofen. Contains L-arginine. Available as a 1% and 10% injection solution. The first is suitable for small kittens.
Any Flexoprofen substitutes have their own contraindications and usage considerations. Therefore, your pet's treatment regimen should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Flexoprofen is an effective medication with its own specific application requirements. It should only be used after a doctor's prescription and following the instructions. At the recommended doses, it does not cause any side effects.
