FDA ALERT WARNING-HUMAN Rx TOPICALS FATAL TO PETS

[Traci]

FDA Warns of Illnesses and Deaths in Pets Exposed to Prescription Topical Pain Medications Containing Flurbiprofen
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/New ... 443333.htm

April 17, 2015

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners, veterinarians, health care providers and pharmacists that pets are at risk of illness and death when exposed to topical pain medications containing the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flurbiprofen. People using these medications, should use care when applying them in a household with pets, as even very small amounts could be dangerous to these animals.

The FDA has received reports of cats in two households that became ill or died after their owners used topical medications containing flurbiprofen on themselves to treat muscle, joint, or other pain. The pet owners had applied the cream or lotion to their own neck or feet, and not directly to the pet, and it is not known exactly how the cats became exposed to the medication. The products contained the NSAID flurbiprofen and the muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, as well as other varying active ingredients, including baclofen, gabapentin, lidocaine, or prilocaine.

Two cats in one household developed kidney failure and recovered with veterinary care. Two cats in a second household developed signs that included reluctance to eat, lethargy, vomiting, melena (black, tarry, bloody stools), anemia, and dilute urine. These two cats died despite veterinary care. A third cat in the second household also died after the owner had stopped using the medication. Veterinarians performed necropsies on the three cats that died and found evidence in the kidneys and intestines that were consistent with NSAID toxicity.

The FDA recommends that people who use topical medications containing flurbiprofen take care to prevent their pets from being exposed to them, even in ways that may seem unlikely to cause problems.

- Store all medications safely out of the reach of pets.
- Safely discard or clean any cloth or applicator that may retain medication and avoid leaving any residues of the medication on clothing, carpeting or furniture.
- Consult your health care provider on whether it is appropriate to cover the treated area.
- If you are using topical medications containing flurbiprofen and your pet becomes exposed, bathe or clean your pet as thoroughly as possible and consult a veterinarian.
- If your pet shows signs such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or other illness, seek veterinary care for your pet and be sure to provide the details of the exposure.
- Understand that, although the FDA has not received reports of dogs or other pets becoming sick in relation to the use of topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen, these animals may also be vulnerable to NSAID toxicity after being exposed to these medications.

Veterinarians who have patients who show signs of NSAID toxicity should ask whether anyone in the household has used topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen.

Health care providers who prescribe topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen and pharmacists who fill these prescriptions should advise patients with pets to take care to prevent exposure of the pet to the medication.

Pet owners and veterinarians can also report any adverse events to the FDA.


FDA Consumer Advice on Pet Exposure to Prescription Topical Pain Medications Containing Flurbiprofen
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Res ... 443332.htm

Key Advice - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners who use prescription topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen to use care when using them in a household with pets.

Pets are at risk of illness and death when exposed to certain pain medications applied to the skin of their owners. Even very small amounts of flurbiprofen, such as a slight amount left on a cloth applicator, could be dangerous to pets.

This advice follows reports made to the FDA of cats in two households that became ill or died after their owners used prescription-strength topical medications containing flurbiprofen on themselves to treat muscle, joint, or other pain. The pet owners had applied the cream or lotion to their own neck or feet, and not directly to the pet, and it is not known exactly how the cats became exposed to the medication.

The products contained the flurbiprofen and the muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine, as well as other varying active ingredients, including baclofen, gabapentin, lidocaine, or prilocaine. Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Who should know - Pet owners who use topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen.

What to do - Store all medications safely out of the reach of pets.

- Pet owners who use topical pain medications containing flurbiprofen should take care to prevent exposure of the pet to the medication.
- Consult your health care provider on whether it is appropriate to cover up the treated area to prevent your pet from being exposed.
- Safely discard or clean any cloth or applicator that may retain medication and avoid leaving any residues of the medication on clothing, carpeting or furniture.
- If you are using topical medications containing flurbiprofen and your pet becomes exposed, bathe or clean your pet as thoroughly as possible and consult a veterinarian.
- If your pet shows signs such as lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, or other illness, seek veterinary care for your pet and be sure to provide the details of the exposure.
- Pet owners and veterinarians can also report any adverse events to the FDA.

Why this advice is important - Even very small exposure to flurbiprofen can be potentially life-threatening to pets.

[Marty]

I heard this yesterday. Java (RIP) regularly had flurbiprofen drops for her eye, prescribed by UGA Vet school originally. I see where it says no dogs have been affected to date, though. Hmmm...

[Traci]

I think I understand this to be human's prescription topicals, but as would seem customary with the FDA recently, we're not graced with a list of products, what the hell is up with that! (yeah, I know, there could be hundreds of products, we're just expected to look at everything in our medicine cabinets and read the tiny prints)

And yes, of course it stands to reason that medications prescribed for Java would possibly have been extrapolated originally from human med. I hope it wasn't any factor, Marty.

[Marty]

Well, this knowledge wasn't available back then, so I know it was prescribed with the best of intentions for her. It's just sad to know after the fact that it could have been a contributing factor in her death.

[Traci]

In going over the announcement again, it's clear they are referring to applications intended for human skin....so I believe it would be doubtful that eye drops could have been detrimental to her health in the manner it was used.