Carprieve for Dogs
Carprieve is carprofen made by Norbrook Laboratories, the same drug as Rimadyl. In the US it is a liver-flavoured chewable in 25, 75 and 100 mg. In the UK and Ireland it is a different product line that includes 20 and 50 mg tablets and an injection. This page explains that split, how to switch to Carprieve from Rimadyl, and how it compares with Novox, Norbrook's other carprofen.
| Generic name | Carprofen |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Norbrook Laboratories |
| FDA status | FDA-approved generic carprofen (US); VMD-authorised (UK) |
| Dosage form | US: liver-flavoured chewable tablet. UK/Ireland: tablets and injection |
| Packaging | US bottles commonly 30, 60 and 180 count |
| Strengths | 25 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg |
| Labeled dose | 2 mg per lb of body weight per day |
| Approved for | Dogs only — not cats, not humans |
| Prescription | Required |
Carprieve in the US vs the UK: Two Different Product Lines
Carprieve is made by Norbrook Laboratories, a veterinary drug company based in Newry, Northern Ireland. Because Norbrook sells on both sides of the Atlantic, the name "Carprieve" covers two product lines that are approved by different regulators and don't share strengths. That explains most of the confusion owners run into, especially about a 50 mg tablet.
| United States | United Kingdom and Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | FDA (generic carprofen) | Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) / HPRA |
| Tablet strengths | 25 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg | Includes 20 mg and 50 mg tablets |
| Injection | Not the usual US Carprieve product | Carprieve 50 mg/mL solution for injection, given by the vet |
| Label dose | 2 mg/lb (4.4 mg/kg) per day | Typically 4 mg/kg per day to start, which may be reduced to 2 mg/kg per day after about a week, depending on response |
| Supply | Prescription only | POM-V (prescribed by a vet) |
Both lines contain the same drug. The practical rule: dose by the leaflet in your own pack, and never mix tablets bought in one country with a dosing chart from the other.
Is There a Carprieve 50 mg Tablet?
In the UK and Ireland, yes; in the US, no. US carprofen, whatever the brand, comes as 25 mg, 75 mg and 100 mg. A 50 mg dose in the US is usually half of a scored 100 mg tablet, or two 25 mg tablets.
If you are in the US and have seen "Carprieve 50 mg" online, you are probably looking at a UK listing. A US pharmacy can't legally fill your prescription with an import, and there's no need to. Ask your vet to write the dose in milligrams (for example "50 mg once daily") so the pharmacy can make it up from US tablets. More detail: carprofen 50 mg.
Searching for a "Carprieve 50 mg alternative" in the UK? Any carprofen 50 mg tablet from another maker (for example Rimadyl, Canidryl or Norocarp) contains the same amount of the same drug. Your vet or pharmacy can substitute if Carprieve is out of stock.
Switching From Rimadyl to Carprieve
This is the most common reason owners look Carprieve up: the clinic or pharmacy has switched brands, often to save money.
- No washout needed. It is the same drug. Give the next scheduled dose as Carprieve at the same number of milligrams. A gap between brands is only needed when switching between different NSAIDs (for example meloxicam to carprofen).
- Check the milligrams, not the number of tablets. If your dog was on half a Rimadyl 100 mg, that is 50 mg; make sure the new instructions add up to the same amount.
- Expect a different-looking tablet. Size, colour, shape and score line differ by maker. Ask the pharmacist to confirm the tablet if you are unsure.
- Watch the first few days. A different flavour or filler occasionally upsets a sensitive stomach. Report vomiting or diarrhoea to your vet as you would with any carprofen.
Liver Flavour: Who It Suits and Who Should Ask First
US Carprieve chewables are liver-flavoured, so most dogs take them like a treat. That helps with long-term arthritis treatment, where a dose is given every day for months.
Two cautions. First, dogs on a strict food-trial or elimination diet for allergies: flavoured chews contain animal-derived flavouring, so ask your vet whether it could interfere with the diet trial. Novox, Norbrook's plain caplet, is the same-maker alternative without a meat flavour. Second, a tasty tablet is also a tempting one: dogs will eat a whole bottle if they find it. Keep Carprieve shut away. An accidental overdose of a flavoured chew is a common emergency (see carprofen overdose).
Carprieve vs Novox vs Other Brands
| Brand | Maker | Form | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carprieve | Norbrook | Liver-flavoured chewable | Dogs that take chews happily |
| Novox | Norbrook | Plain caplet | Dogs on food trials, or that eat a caplet hidden in food |
| Carprovet | Dechra | Beef-flavoured chewable or caplet | Dogs that dislike liver flavour |
| Rimadyl | Zoetis | Chewable or caplet | The original brand; usually the most expensive |
All four contain the same drug at the same strengths. The choice comes down to what your dog will take and the price.
Buying Carprieve and Keeping the Cost Down
- Ask your vet for a written prescription for "carprofen" at a stated milligram dose. This lets any pharmacy fill it with Carprieve or an equivalent, whichever is cheapest.
- For long-term use, the larger bottles (Carprieve is commonly stocked in 30, 60 and 180 counts) usually cost less per tablet and mean fewer refills.
- Compare the cost per milligram, not the cost per bottle. A 100 mg tablet split in half is often cheaper than two 25 mg tablets.
See where to buy carprofen and the cost and insurance guide.
- Dose: 2 mg per lb (4.4 mg/kg) per day, once daily or split in two; your vet sets the actual dose. Dosage chart
- Side effects: mostly stomach upset; rarely ulcers, liver or kidney injury. Warning signs
- Never combine with another NSAID or a steroid unless your vet plans it. Interactions
- Prescription only in the US; dogs only, never cats or people. All brands compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carprieve the same as Rimadyl?
Yes. Both contain carprofen at the same strengths and are used for the same conditions. Carprieve is made by Norbrook; Rimadyl by Zoetis.
Do I need a washout when switching from Rimadyl to Carprieve?
No. It is the same drug, so give the next scheduled dose as Carprieve at the same milligram amount. Washouts are only needed between different NSAIDs.
Is there a Carprieve 50 mg tablet?
In the UK and Ireland, yes. In the US, carprofen comes as 25, 75 and 100 mg, so a 50 mg dose is half a 100 mg tablet or two 25 mg tablets.
What flavour is Carprieve?
US Carprieve chewables are liver-flavoured. Novox, from the same maker, is a plain caplet if your dog needs an unflavoured option.
Who makes Carprieve?
Norbrook Laboratories, which also makes Novox. Norbrook is based in Newry, Northern Ireland.
Is the UK Carprieve dose different?
UK labels typically start at 4 mg/kg per day and may reduce to 2 mg/kg per day after about a week. US labels use 4.4 mg/kg (2 mg/lb) per day. Always follow the leaflet in your own pack and your vet.
Can cats take Carprieve?
Carprieve tablets are for dogs only. Cats clear carprofen far more slowly, and any use in cats is a vet-only decision, usually a single injection around surgery.
What is Carprieve?
Carprieve is a liver-flavoured chewable carprofen tablet from Norbrook, the maker of Novox. It is used for osteoarthritis pain and post-surgical pain in dogs.
What strengths do Carprieve tablets come in?
In the US, Carprieve comes in the standard carprofen strengths of 25, 75 and 100 mg, with no 50 mg tablet; a 50 mg dose there is usually half of a scored 100 mg tablet, only if your vet says so. The UK and Irish Carprieve range is different and does include a 50 mg tablet. See our carprofen 50 mg guide.
Sources & Further Reading
- DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), Carprieve (carprofen) chewable tablets label
- UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Product Information Database: Carprieve tablets and injection
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Animal Drugs @ FDA: approved carprofen products
- Norbrook Laboratories product information
This page summarizes and explains publicly available veterinary drug information. It is not a substitute for the official prescribing information your vet or pharmacist provides with your specific prescription.