Schering-Plough gets Zubrin approval for osteoarthritis in dogs

Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. has received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Zubrin (tepoxalin) rapidly-disintegrating tablets for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs.Zubrin is the first in a new class of canine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have a unique dual-pathway mechanism of action. Zubrin is the only approved canine NSAID that inhibits both the cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) and lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathways, the company says.Additionally, Zubrin is the only canine medication using Zydis technology, which results in the tablet disintegrating within seconds of being placed in the dogs mouth. This enhances compliance and helps ensure complete dosing by reducing medication rejection. With the approval of Zubrin, veterinarians and owners now have a therapy that is safe and effective in the treatment of pain and inflammation of canine osteoarthritis, and is easy to administer, says Hubert Trentesaux, vice president, companion animal business, Schering-Plough Animal Health. With Zubrin, an otherwise healthy dog can now live a more normal life, without suffering the discomfort of osteoarthritis.The product was proven effective in extensive field studies, the company says. It is administered once daily, either with food or within one to two hours after feeding. The recommended dosage is 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg once daily on the initial day of treatment, followed by a daily maintenance dose of 10 mg/kg. The product is available in 50, 100 and 200 mg rapidly disintegrating tablets.

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