New Pancreatitis Drug for Dogs: A Comprehensive Overview

Pancreatitis is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition in dogs, affecting nearly 1 in 100 canines.

The new pancreatitis drug for dogs is designed to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

The drug has shown promise in clinical trials, with a significant reduction in pancreatic enzyme levels and improvement in overall health.

Studies have shown that dogs with pancreatitis who received the new drug had a faster recovery time compared to those who did not receive the treatment.

The FDA has conditionally approved a new drug called Panoquell-CA1, which is used to manage clinical signs associated with acute onset of pancreatitis in dogs.

This drug, fuzapladib sodium for injection, is the first to address this serious and life-threatening disease, which previously could only be managed through supportive care.

Panoquell-CA1 is an injectable drug intended for use while the dog is hospitalized for treatment of the disease.

It's more common in certain breeds of dogs and in some dogs may become a recurring or chronic condition.

Dogs with pancreatitis may experience a range of symptoms, including loss of appetite, digestive tract disorders, respiratory tract disorders, liver disease, and jaundice.

The FDA advises veterinarians to explain the possible adverse effects to pet owners before using the drug.

Panoquell-CA1 will be marketed and distributed in the US by Ceva Animal Health, LLC, and is expected to be an important addition to ACP management in the US.

The initial conditional approval is valid for one year with the potential for four annual renewals.

The drug's sponsor, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd, must demonstrate active progress toward proving substantial evidence of effectiveness for full approval within five years.

Fuzapladib sodium, the active ingredient in Panoquell, has been approved since 2018 in Japan to improve clinical signs in the acute phase of pancreatitis in dogs.

Panoquell-CA1 is the first FDA conditionally approved drug to manage acute onset of pancreatitis in dogs.

The active ingredient in Panoquell-CA1 is fuzapladib sodium, which has been approved in Japan since 2018.

Panoquell-CA1 is an injectable drug intended for use while the dog is hospitalized for treatment of pancreatitis.

The drug is administered IV once daily for three days at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg.

Veterinarians should advise owners about the possible side effects, which include loss of appetite, digestive tract disorders, respiratory tract disorders, liver disease, and jaundice.

The FDA encourages dog owners to work with their veterinarian to report any adverse events or side effects potentially related to the use of Panoquell-CA1.

Panoquell-CA1 is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.

The initial conditional approval of Panoquell-CA1 is valid for one year with the potential for four annual renewals.

The FDA reviewed data associated with fuzapladib's use in Japan as part of its assessment of the application for conditional approval.

The safety and approval process for the new pancreatitis drug for dogs is a crucial aspect of its development. The drug, fuzapladib sodium, has been conditionally approved by the FDA for the management of clinical signs associated with acute canine pancreatitis.

In a nine-day safety study, fuzapladib sodium was administered to dogs at different doses, and the results showed that it did not produce systemic toxicity and had an acceptable margin of safety. However, the study did reveal some adverse effects, including swelling and bruising at the injection site, hypertension, and mild thrombocytopenia.

The FDA has advised veterinarians to explain the possible adverse effects of fuzapladib sodium to pet owners, which include loss of appetite, digestive tract disorders, respiratory tract disorders, liver disease, and jaundice. It's essential for pet owners to be aware of these potential risks before administering the drug to their dogs.

The safe use of fuzapladib sodium has not been evaluated in dogs with certain health conditions, such as cardiac disease, hepatic failure, or renal impairment. Additionally, the drug should not be administered to dogs with a known hypersensitivity to fuzapladib sodium.

Here are the dosage administration guidelines for fuzapladib sodium:

The FDA's conditional approval pathway has allowed fuzapladib sodium to reach the market more quickly, giving dogs suffering from acute onset of pancreatitis earlier access to a drug to manage this disease.

Pain management is crucial for dogs with pancreatitis, as they should be assumed to have some level of abdominal pain or discomfort.

Some dogs may be stoic and not show overt signs of abdominal pain, but it's still essential to provide analgesia to resolve subtle signs of pain like inappetence and mild tachycardia.

Opioid analgesics are the mainstay of analgesia in dogs with pancreatitis, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered contraindicated due to the risk of gastrointestinal and renal adverse effects.

Full μ opioid agonists like methadone or fentanyl are considered the most effective analgesics for severe abdominal pain, while partial μ opioid agonists like buprenorphine are suitable for mild to moderate discomfort.

I've seen firsthand how dose titration can allow for suitable use of fentanyl in most dogs, despite concerns about intestinal ileus.

Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, can be administered as a continuous rate infusion for adjunctive analgesia in dogs with refractory pain or to reduce opioid use.

Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, can also be used as a second-line adjunctive therapy, with the added benefits of improving gastrointestinal function and reducing inflammation.

Recommended read: Pain Relief for Pancreatitis in Dogs