Novartis Animal Health introduces Onsior
(Product information in this article is intended for Non-US residents only. Consumers in the United States, please visit US Petwellness.)
New product from Novartis Animal Health delivers fast and effective pain control
When a dog or cat is suffering, the people who care for that pet face a special problem.
Animals experience pain just as surely as humans do, but our furry companions cannot clearly communicate the site or cause of their discomfort. A pet owner needs to watch for more subtle signs of pain – and call upon a veterinarian for expert diagnosis and treatment.
Onsior – a new pain therapy for cats and dogs
Now a new pain relief product, Onsior, is offering pet owners and veterinarians an opportunity to effectively alleviate the suffering of cats and dogs. Novartis Animal Health is introducing this new medication following approval in Europe1.
Onsior (robenacoxib) offers convenient, flexible dosing available in:
- easy-to-use flavored tablets, or
- an injectable form for use in the veterinary office.
Onsior is for relief of chronic pain such as osteoarthritis in dogs or acute pain in cats; additionally the injectable relieves pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic and soft tissue surgery in dogs and soft tissue surgery in cats.
Science delivers better relief
Onsior springs from a discovery by Novartis scientists researching the coxib class of drugs. The Animal Health Division developed Onsior specifically for companion animals. A big benefit of Onsior is that the drug travels rapidly through the pet’s bloodstream to selectively target the tissues involved in inflammation and pain. The drug takes effect and exits the blood quickly, to reduce potential side effects.
As a drug of the coxib (COX-2 selective inhibitor) class, Onsior brings a scientific advance. Traditional NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) inhibit both COX-2 and COX-1 enzymes at recommended doses, treating pain but also resulting in common side effects for the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. A new generation coxib, Onsior targets the pain-causing COX-2 enzymes while sparing the protective actions of COX-1 at recommended dosages. Onsior is 500 times more selective to COX-2 in cats, and 140 times more selective in dogs2.
Onsior is flexible and easy
Novartis developed Onsior for cats as well as dogs because the market previously offered limited choices for pain management in cats. The extra investment in Research and Development grew out of a commitment to serving the diverse needs of pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Signs of pain
Watch your cat or dog for:- Unusual facial expressions
- Change in vocalization
- Licking or chewing itself
- Lower activity level
- Reduction in appetite
- Hiding or acting withdrawn
- Failure to groom coat
Onsior dosing is flexible and easy. The flavored tablets have proven very palatable for dogs and cats, and the injectable solution is especially helpful with surgery. Onsior creates a simple, effective pain management protocol for vets and meets changing lifestyle needs of consumers.
With the introduction of Onsior to the European market in September 2009, Novartis Animal Health is entering a new market segment in Europe and broadening its portfolio.
“With the benefits of being tissue selective, and having a short blood half-life – as well as being approved for both cats and dogs – Onsior will stand out as the new pain reliever of choice for veterinarians,”
states Kelly Doucette, veterinarian and Global Technical Service Manager for pain relief products at Novartis Animal Health.
We believe quality of life for a cat or dog is important, both to the health of the pet and to the relationship a human family enjoys with its companion and friend.
- Product information in this article is intended for Non-US residents only. Consumers in the United States, please visit US Petwellness. All product names appearing in italics are trademarks licensed to or owned by Group companies.
- Please refer to the Onsior Summary of Product Characteristics
