Metacam 2mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats

Composition

Each ml contains:

Active substance:

Meloxicam: 2 mg

Excipients:

Clear yellow solution.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QM01AC06

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

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).

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following subcutaneous administration, meloxicam is completely bioavailable and maximal mean plasma concentrations of 1.1 mcg/ml were reached approximately 1.5 hours post administration.

Distribution

There is a linear relationship between the dose administered and plasma concentration observed in the therapeutic dose range. More than 97 % of meloxicam is bound to plasma proteins. The volume of distribution is 0.09 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. Five major metabolites were detected all having been shown to be pharmacologically inactive. Meloxicam is metabolised to an alcohol, an acid derivative and to several polar metabolites. As for other species investigated, the main pathway of meloxicam biotransformation in cat is oxidation.

Elimination

Meloxicam is eliminated with a half-life of 24 hours. The detection of metabolites from the parent compound in urine and faeces, but not in plasma is indicative for their rapid excretion. 21 % of the recovered dose is eliminated in urine (2 % as unchanged meloxicam, 19 % as metabolites) and 79 % in the faeces (49 % as unchanged meloxicam, 30 % as metabolites).

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Target species

Cats

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Indications

Alleviation of mild to moderate post-operative pain and inflammation following surgical procedures in cats, e.g. orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery.

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Dosage

Reduction of post-operative pain and inflammation when administration of meloxicam is to be continued as an oral follow-up therapy:

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.2 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.1 ml/kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia.

To continue treatment for up to five days, this initial dose may be followed 24 hours later by administration of Metacam 0.5 mg/ml oral suspension for cats at a dosage of 0.05 mg meloxicam/kg body weight. The oral follow-up dose may be administered for up to a total of four doses at 24 hour intervals.

Reduction of post-operative pain and inflammation where no oral follow-up treatment is possible e.g. feral cats:

Single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 0.3 mg meloxicam/kg body weight (i.e. 0.15 ml/kg body weight) before surgery, for example at the time of induction of anaesthesia. In this case do not use oral follow up treatment.

Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing. To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible. The use of suitably calibrated measuring equipment is recommended.

Avoid introduction of contamination during use.

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Contraindications

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

Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Do not use in cats less than 6 weeks of age nor in cats of less than 2 kg.

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Adverse reactions

Cats:

Very rare (< 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): Appetite loss1, lethargy1; Vomiting1, diarrhoea1, blood in faeces1,2, haemorrhagic diarrhoea1, haematemesis1, gastric ulcer1, small intestinal ulcer1; Elevated liver enzymes1; Renal failure1; Anaphylactoid reaction3

1 These adverse events 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.

2 Occult

3 Should be treated symptomatically.

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

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive cat, as there is a potential risk of renal toxicity.

During anaesthesia, monitoring and fluid therapy should be considered as standard practice.

In case additional pain relief is required, multimodal pain therapy should be considered.

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

Accidental self-injection may give rise to pain. People with known hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.

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

This veterinary medicinal product can cause eye irritation. In case of contact with the eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with water.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable.

3.11 Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance

Not applicable.

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy and lactation:

The safety of the veterinary medicinal product has not been established during pregnancy and lactation. Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals.

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Interactions

Other NSAIDs, diuretics, anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and substances with high protein binding may compete for binding and thus lead to toxic effects. This veterinary medicinal product must not be administered in conjunction with other NSAIDs or glucocorticosteroids. Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic veterinary medicinal products should be avoided. In animals at anaesthetic risk (e.g. aged animals) intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy during anaesthesia should be taken into consideration. When anaesthesia and NSAID are concomitantly administered, a risk for renal function cannot be excluded.

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 products used previously.

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Overdose

In the case of overdose symptomatic treatment should be initiated.

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Special warnings

None.

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Withdrawal period

Not applicable.

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Incompatibilities

None known.

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Immediate packaging

Cardboard box containing one colourless glass injection vial of 10 ml or 20 ml, closed with a rubber stopper and sealed with an aluminium cap. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Storage

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

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years. Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 28 days.

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater.

Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.

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Additional information

Vm 61700/5059

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

02 July 2010

9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

April 2026

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk.

Approved: 20 March 2025

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Registration holder

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH

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