Boehringer Ingelheim has introduced a new Quarterable Snap-Tab design for Previcox (firocoxib) Chewable Tablets, now approved by the FDA. This new double-scored tablet can be divided into quarters, allowing veterinarians to prescribe precise doses for dogs weighing as little as 7 pounds.
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Previcox is a COX-2-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for alleviating pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis in dogs, as well as postoperative pain and inflammation related to soft-tissue and orthopedic surgeries.
The design of these tablets supports finer dosing and offers more customization options for veterinarians, who can calculate doses in quarter-tablet increments based on a recommended dosage of 2.27 mg per pound (5.0 mg/kg) once daily. However, the updated labeling specifies that dogs under 7 pounds cannot be accurately dosed due to the tablet size and scoring.
Russ Drury, DVM, executive director of veterinary professional services at Boehringer Ingelheim, highlighted the new design's benefits for veterinarians and pet owners, emphasizing that it enables better-tailored dosing that could enhance overall dog well-being. Additionally, the company noted improvements in convenience and cost-efficiency with the new tablets.
Enhancements also include packaging sustainability. Once quartered, remaining tablet pieces can be stored in the original packaging for up to one month, thereby minimizing waste. The redesigned Previcox bottle, which will transition to a taller, industry-standard round design without cotton, aims to reduce material use and simplify supply processes.
Several aspects of the product will remain unchanged, including the formulation, tablet strengths (57 mg and 227 mg), bottle counts, and the child-resistant, senior-friendly design. These updates are set to be rolled out gradually through 2026 and 2027, starting with the 227-mg and 57-mg, 60-count presentations.
Safety guidelines indicate that Previcox is for oral use in dogs only, and should not be given to dogs with known hypersensitivity to firocoxib. A thorough history, physical examination, and baseline laboratory testing are recommended prior to beginning NSAID therapy. Similar to other NSAIDs, firocoxib carries risks of gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic toxicity, and should not be used concurrently with other anti-inflammatory medications. Elevated doses for puppies younger than seven months have been linked to serious adverse reactions, including fatalities.