1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Rheumocam 1.5 mg/ml oral suspension for dogs

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

One ml contains:

Active substance:

Meloxicam 1.5 mg.

Excipient:

Sodium benzoate 5 mg.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral suspension.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Dogs.

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

Alleviation of inflammation and pain in both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal disorders in dogs.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.

Do not use in animals suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritation and haemorrhage, impaired hepatic, cardiac or renal function and haemorrhagic disorders.

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Do not use in dogs less than 6 weeks of age.

4.4 Special warnings

None.

4.5 Special precautions for use

Special precautions for use in animals

Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal, as there is a potential risk of increased renal toxicity. This product for dogs should not be used in cats as it is not suitable for use in this species. In cats, Rheumocam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats should be used.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals.

People with known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Typical adverse reactions of NSAIDs such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, faecal occult blood, lethargy and renal failure have occasionally been reported. In very rare cases haemorrhagic diarrhoea, haematemesis, gastrointestinal ulceration and elevated liver enzymes have been reported. These side effects occur generally within the first treatment week and are in most cases transient and disappear following termination of the treatment but in very rare cases may be serious or fatal.

If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a veterinarian should be sought.

The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:

- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))

- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)

- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)

- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation (see section 4.3).

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. Rheumocam must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids.

Pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory substances may result in additional or increased adverse effects and accordingly a treatment-free period with such veterinary medicinal products should be observed for at least 24 hours before commencement of treatment. The treatment-free period, however, should take into account the pharmacological properties of the veterinary products used previously.

4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route

Shake well before use.

To be administered mixed with food.

Initial treatment is a single dose of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight on the first day. Treatment is to be continued once daily by oral administration (at 24-hour intervals) at a maintenance dose of 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight.

Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing.

The suspension can be given using the Rheumocam measuring syringe provided in the package. The syringe fits onto the bottle and has a kg-body weight scale which corresponds to the maintenance dose (i.e. 0.1 mg meloxicam/kg body weight). Thus for the first day, twice the maintenance volume will be required.

A clinical response is normally seen within 3–4 days. Treatment should be discontinued after 10 days at the latest if no clinical improvement is apparent.

4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary

In the case of overdosage symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

Not applicable.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-inflammatory and Anti-rheumatic products, Non-steroids (oxicams). ATCvet code: QM01AC06.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the oxicam class which acts by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-exudative and antipyretic effects. It reduces leukocyte infiltration into the inflamed tissue. To a minor extent it also inhibits collagen-induced thrombocyte aggregation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that meloxicam inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) to a greater extent than cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic particulars

Absorption

Meloxicam is completely absorbed following oral administration and maximal plasma concentrations are obtained after approximately 7.5 hours. When the product is used according to the recommended dosage regime, steady state concentrations of meloxicam in plasma are reached on the second day of treatment.

Distribution

There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range. Approximately 97% of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins. The volume of distribution is 0.3 l/kg.

Metabolism

Meloxicam is predominantly found in plasma and is also a major biliary excretion product whereas urine contains only traces of the parent compound. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. All major metabolites have been shown to be pharmacologically inactive.

Elimination

Meloxicam is eliminated with a half-life of 24 hours. Approximately 75% of the administered dose is eliminated via faeces and the remainder via urine.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Saccharin Sodium

Sodium Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose

Colloidal Silicon Dioxide Citric Acid Monohydrate

Sorbitol Solution

Disodium Hydrogen-Phosphate Dodecahydrate

Sodium Benzoate

Honey Flavour.

6.2 Major incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 2 years. Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 6 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging

42, 100 or 200 ml polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle with a tamper resistant child proof closure, and a 15 ml HDPE bottle with a tamper resistant child proof closure, and two polypropylene measuring syringes: one for small dogs (up to 20 kg) and one for bigger dogs (up to 60 kg).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such products

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Chanelle Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Ltd.,

Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBERS

42 ml: EU/2/07/078/001

100 ml: EU/2/07/078/002

200 ml: EU/2/07/078/003

15 ml: EU/2/07/078/004

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 10/01/2008.

Date of last renewal: 18/12/2012.

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

Detailed information on this veterinary medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (http://www.ema.europa.eu).

PROHIBITION OF SALE, SUPPLY AND/OR USE

Not applicable.