Deracoxib (Deramaxx) for Dogs: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace care from your vet. Deracoxib is a prescription NSAID for dogs, and the right dose depends on your dog’s weight, diagnosis, age, hydration status, and other medications.

See your vet immediately if your dog has vomiting, black or bloody stool, bloody vomit, collapse, marked lethargy, yellowing of the eyes or gums, or stops eating after starting deracoxib. Those signs can point to stomach ulceration, bleeding, kidney injury, or liver problems.

Do not combine deracoxib with another NSAID or with a steroid such as prednisone unless your vet specifically directs a transition plan. Mixing these drugs can sharply raise the risk of serious side effects.

If your dog already has kidney disease, liver disease, dehydration, stomach ulcers, or a bleeding disorder, your vet may recommend a different pain-control option or closer monitoring.

Deracoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, in the coxib family. It works by preferentially blocking COX-2, an enzyme involved in pain and inflammation. In practical terms, that means it can help many dogs feel more comfortable with arthritis or after surgery while aiming to spare some of the protective COX-1 activity in the stomach and kidneys.

Deramaxx is the branded veterinary form of deracoxib. It comes as scored chewable tablets for dogs and is available by prescription only. The tablets are typically given once a day, and the product labeling notes that bioavailability is greatest when given with food.

Even though deracoxib is COX-2 preferential, it is still an NSAID with meaningful risks. Dogs can develop stomach upset, ulcers, kidney injury, or liver problems, especially if they are dehydrated, have underlying disease, receive too much medication, or take it with another NSAID or a steroid.

This medication is for dogs only. It should not be given to cats, and pet parents should never use a dog’s prescription for another pet without checking with your vet first.

Deracoxib is FDA-approved in dogs for two main situations: chronic pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis, and short-term pain and inflammation after surgery. For many arthritic dogs, it can improve comfort with walking, rising, climbing stairs, and daily activity.

It is also labeled for postoperative pain and inflammation after orthopedic surgery and dental surgery, but the labeled dose depends on the procedure. Orthopedic surgery uses a higher short-term dose, while dental surgery uses a lower short-term dose. That difference matters because NSAID side effects become more likely as dose and duration increase.

Your vet may also use deracoxib off-label in selected cases of musculoskeletal pain or as part of a broader plan for some cancers, including transitional cell carcinoma, when anti-inflammatory effects may be helpful. Off-label use is common in veterinary medicine, but it should always be tailored to the individual dog.

Deracoxib is one option, not the only option. Depending on your dog’s age, health history, and pain source, your vet may discuss other NSAIDs, gabapentin, amantadine, rehabilitation, weight management, joint-support strategies, or a multimodal plan.

Deracoxib dosing is use-specific. For osteoarthritis, the labeled dose is 1 to 2 mg/kg by mouth once daily. For postoperative pain and inflammation after orthopedic surgery, the labeled dose is 3 to 4 mg/kg by mouth once daily, used as needed for no more than 7 days. For postoperative dental pain and inflammation, the labeled dose is 1 to 2 mg/kg by mouth once daily for 3 days.

Because the osteoarthritis dose is lower than the orthopedic surgery dose, pet parents should never assume the same tablet amount is safe for both situations. Your vet will calculate the dose based on your dog’s current weight and the reason the medication is being used.

Deramaxx chewable tablets are scored, and the label notes dosing should be calculated in half-tablet increments. Giving the medication with food is generally recommended because absorption is greatest with food and it may help reduce stomach upset.

If you miss a dose, ask your vet how to proceed. In many cases, they will advise giving it when remembered unless it is close to the next scheduled dose, but you should not double up unless your vet tells you to. Dogs on long-term NSAIDs often benefit from periodic rechecks and bloodwork to monitor kidney and liver values.

The most common side effects with deracoxib are gastrointestinal. These can include vomiting, diarrhea, soft stool, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Some dogs show only mild stomach upset, while others can develop more serious ulceration or bleeding.

More urgent warning signs include black or tarry stool, blood in the stool, bloody vomit, repeated vomiting, marked weakness, collapse, increased thirst or urination, or yellowing of the eyes, skin, or gums. These signs can suggest stomach ulceration, intestinal bleeding, kidney injury, or liver injury.

Stop the medication and contact your vet right away if you notice any concerning change after starting deracoxib. Do not give another dose while waiting for advice unless your vet specifically tells you to continue.

Risk tends to be higher in dogs that are dehydrated, very old, already have kidney or liver disease, have a history of stomach ulcers, or are taking interacting medications. That is one reason your vet may recommend bloodwork before starting therapy and again during long-term treatment.

Deracoxib should not be used at the same time as another NSAID, including carprofen, meloxicam, firocoxib, aspirin, or over-the-counter human pain relievers unless your vet specifically directs it. It also should not be combined with corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, or methylprednisolone because the risk of stomach ulceration and bleeding rises sharply.

Your vet may recommend a washout period when switching from one NSAID to another or from a steroid to an NSAID. The exact timing varies by drug, dose, and your dog’s health status, so it is safest to follow your vet’s written plan rather than using a standard rule.

Use extra caution if your dog also takes medications that can affect kidney blood flow or hydration, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or some blood pressure medications. Dogs on chemotherapy, anticoagulants, or multiple chronic medications may need a different pain-control strategy or closer monitoring.

Always tell your vet about every prescription, supplement, joint product, and over-the-counter medication your dog receives. That includes fish oil, aspirin, and human pain medicines kept at home.

Deramaxx is usually given with food. The product labeling notes that bioavailability is greatest when taken with food, and many dogs tolerate NSAIDs better when they are not given on an empty stomach.

Deracoxib is not a breed-specific medication, but size and age matter. Larger dogs often need higher tablet strengths, which can increase the monthly cost range. Senior dogs and dogs with chronic disease may still use deracoxib, but your vet may recommend more frequent monitoring or a different pain-control plan depending on lab results and overall risk.

Approved species: Dogs only

Body size impact: Dose is weight-based, so tablet strength and monthly cost range often rise with larger dogs

Breed-specific caution: No single breed-specific contraindication is listed on the label, but any dog with prior NSAID sensitivity needs extra caution

Senior dogs: Often benefit from closer monitoring because age-related kidney, liver, and hydration changes can increase NSAID risk