ONSIOR (ROBENACOXIB)- robenacoxib injection, solution 
Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.

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onsior®
(robenacoxib)

injection

For Subcutaneous Use In Cats Only
20 mg/mL injection for cats

Caution:

Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Description:

ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection is a non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the coxib class. Each mL of this clear sterile solution for injection contains 20 mg robenacoxib, 350 mg polyethylene glycol 400, 120 mg ethanol, 100 mg poloxamer 188, 1 mg sodium metabisulfite; citric acid and sodium hydroxide are used for pH adjustment. The molecular weight of robenacoxib is 327.28. The empirical formula is C16-H13-F4-NO2.

Robenacoxib is [5-Ethyl-2-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-phenylamino)-phenyl]-acetic acid. The structural formula is:

Structural Formula

Indication:

ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection is indicated for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration in cats ≥ 4 months of age; for up to a maximum of 3 days.

Dosage and Administration:

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of ONSIOR and other treatment options before deciding to use ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual response. It is recommended as good aseptic practice to clean stopper surface with isopropyl alcohol before and after each insertion of a needle.

The dose of ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection is 0.91 mg/lb (2 mg/kg) subcutaneously once daily, for a maximum of 3 days.

Dosage Directions: For subcutaneous injection in cats ≥ 4 months of age; for up to a maximum of 3 days. To ensure accuracy of dosing, the use of a 1 mL graduated syringe is recommended. The first dose should be administered approximately 30 minutes prior to surgery, at the same time as the preanesthetic agents are given.

Subsequent doses can be given via subcutaneous injection, or interchanged with the oral tablet in cats ≥ 5.5 lbs and ≥ 4 months of age, for a maximum of 3 total ONSIOR doses over 3 days, not to exceed one dose per day (see Animal Safety and ONSIOR tablet product insert).

Note the dose of ONSIOR tablets and ONSIOR injection are different.

Contraindications:

ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection should not be used in cats that have a hypersensitivity to robenacoxib or known intolerance to NSAIDs.

Warnings:

Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental ingestion or injection by humans.

For subcutaneous use in cats only.

All cats should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before the initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory tests should be conducted to establish hematological and serum biochemical baseline data prior to administration of an NSAID.

Owners should be advised to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity (see Adverse Reactions and Animal Safety).

Do not administer ONSIOR injection or tablets in conjunction with any other oral or injectable NSAID or corticosteroid.

Precautions:

When using NSAIDS such as ONSIOR, the use of fluid therapy during surgery is recommended to decrease potential renal complications (see Adverse Reactions, Post-Approval Experience).

Appetite should be monitored in cats receiving ONSIOR.

Stop administration of ONSIOR if appetite decreases or if the cat becomes lethargic.

Inflammation at the injection site may be noted.

The use of ONSIOR has not been evaluated in cats younger than 4 months of age and less than 5.5 lbs, cats used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating cats. Long-term use of the injectable has not been studied. Safety has not been demonstrated for IV or IM administration.

The use of ONSIOR in cats with cardiac disease has not been studied. ONSIOR has been shown to prolong the QT interval.

As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, renal, and hepatic toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the individual patient. Cats that have experienced adverse reactions from one NSAID may experience adverse reactions from another NSAID. Patients at greatest risk for adverse events are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with existing renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Anesthetic drugs may affect renal perfusion; approach concomitant use of anesthetics and NSAIDs cautiously.

Appropriate monitoring procedures (including ECG, blood pressure, and temperature regulation) should be employed during all surgical procedures. The use of parenteral fluids during surgery is recommended to decrease potential renal complications when using NSAIDs perioperatively.

If additional pain medication is needed after a daily dose of ONSIOR, a nonNSAID/non-corticosteroid class of analgesic may be necessary. Concurrent administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be carefully approached and monitored. NSAIDs may inhibit prostaglandins which maintain normal homeostatic function. Such anti-prostaglandin effects may result in clinically significant disease in patients with underlying or pre-existing disease that has not been previously diagnosed. NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal ulcerations and/or gastrointestinal perforations. Do not use ONSIOR concomitantly with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids. Consider appropriate washout times when switching from one NSAID to another or when switching from corticosteroid use to NSAID use. ONSIOR injection and ONSIOR tablets are safe to use interchangeably when given once a day for a maximum of 3 days in cats ≥ 4 months of age and ≥ 5.5 lbs. Note the dose of ONSIOR tablets and ONSIOR injection are different.

The use of concomitantly protein-bound drugs with ONSIOR has not been studied in cats. Commonly used protein-bound drugs include cardiac, anticonvulsant and behavioral medications. The influence of concomitant drugs that may inhibit metabolism of ONSIOR has not been evaluated. Drug compatibility should be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive therapy. Concurrent medications used during the field study with ONSIOR included parasiticides, anesthetics, pre-anesthetic medications, and antibiotics.

The effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition and the potential for thromboembolic occurrence or a hypercoagulable state has not been evaluated. It is unknown whether cats with a history of hypersensitivity to ß lactam drugs will exhibit hypersensitivity to ONSIOR. Robenacoxib is poorly soluble in water and in acid solutions readily degrades to form γ-lactam. In cats, lactam is a metabolite of robenacoxib. Additionally, lactam is a degradation product that increases over the shelf-life of the solution. Neurologic signs have been associated with the use of ß lactam drugs; it is unknown if the lactam in robenacoxib may cause similar neurologic signs (see Animal Safety). Occurrences of skin lesions/urticaria, seizures, ataxia, and nystagmus have been associated with the use of ONSIOR.

Robenacoxib may prolong the QT interval; the associated risk of developing ventricular arrhythmia is unknown. The use of robenacoxib with other drugs shown to prolong the QT interval is not recommended. Commonly used drugs that prolong the QT interval include antihistamines, prokinetic, and certain anesthetic drugs. ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection contains sodium metabisulfite. ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection should not be used in patients with sulfite hypersensitivity. As a class, it is unknown if the use of NSAIDs in asthmatic cats can cause acute asthmatic exacerbations, as seen in some humans.

Adverse Reactions:

The controlled field study (see Effectiveness) included a total of 349 healthy male and female cats in the field safety analysis. ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection treated cats represented 7 breeds, 4 months to 7 years old, weighing 5.5-13.2 lbs. The following table shows the number of cats exhibiting each observation.

Adverse Reactions in the Postoperative Pain Field Study

*Cats may have experienced more than one type or occurrence of an event during the study.

**One ONSIOR cat suffered an anesthetic-related death.

***Semiconscious cat fully recovered.

Adverse Reaction*ONSIOR N = 174**Control
(0.9% physiologic saline) N = 175
Incision site infection, dehiscence 9 0
Increased incision site bleeding 6 4
Vomiting 5 0
Decreased appetite 4 3
Lethargy (after day of surgery) 4 2
UTI 2 0
Coughing 1 0
Fever 1 0
Semiconscious*** 1 0
Soft stool, diarrhea 0 2

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in cats treated with ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection were infected incision sites, increased incision site bleeding, vomiting, inappetence, and lethargy. Changes in the clinical pathology values were not considered clinically significant.

An additional study was conducted in client-owned cats to evaluate ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg administered once daily for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with an onychectomy (forelimbs only) and OVH or castration. The study was a masked, negative controlled, multi-center field study in which 187 cats were enrolled in a 2:1 ratio into two groups (127 cats treated with robenacoxib injection and 60 cats treated with saline).

Adverse Reactions from Additional Field Study

*Cats may have experienced more than one type or occurrence of an event during the study.

Adverse Reaction*ONSIOR N = 127Control
(0.9% physiologic saline N = 60
Surgical or venipuncture site bleeding 9 3
Leukocytosis 9 2
Fever 8 11
Lethargy
(after day of surgery)
7 0
Vomiting 6 0
Anorexia/ decreased appetite 6 3
Infected/drainage surgical site(s), infection 5 2
Dehiscence 1 0
Diarrhea 1 3
Bloody stool 1 0
Hypersalivation 1 2
UTI 0 1

The mean WBC count in the ONSIOR group was 13.8 ± 5.64 103/μL (ranging from 4.4 – 36.8) and the mean WBC count in the control group was 12.7 ± 5.41 103/μL (with values ranging from 2.9 – 30.1) at the end of the study. There were 6 ONSIOR cases with elevated ALT post-treatment compared to 1 control case. There were 4 ONSIOR cases with elevated AST post-treatment compared to 1 control case.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in cats treated with ONSIOR were increased incision site bleeding, leukocytosis, fever, inappetence, infected incision sites, vomiting, and lethargy.

The results of the field study demonstrate that ONSIOR injection, when administered for a maximum of 3 days, is well-tolerated for the control of postoperative pain associated with onychectomy, ovariohysterectomy, and castration in cats.

Post Approval Experience (2015):

The following adverse events are based on voluntary, post approval reporting. Not all adverse events are reported to FDA/CVM. It is not always possible to reliably estimate the adverse event frequency or establish a causal relationship to product exposure using these data.

The signs reported are listed in decreasing order of reporting frequency for ONSIOR tablets in cats:

Anorexia, depression/lethargy, vomiting, elevated BUN, elevated creatinine, renal insufficiency/ failure, diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration.

In some cases, death has been reported. Some of these cases involved patients that developed renal failure/renal insufficiency.

To report suspected adverse drug events and for technical assistance, contact Novartis Animal Health at 1-800-332-2761.

For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth.

Information for Cat Owners:

ONSIOR, like other drugs of its class, is not free from adverse reactions. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions and be informed of the clinical signs associated with drug intolerance.

Adverse reactions may include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, dark or tarry stools, increased water consumption, increased urination, anemia, yellowing of gums, skin or white of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or behavioral changes. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class can occur without warning and result in death (see Warnings and Adverse Reactions). Owners should be advised to contact their veterinarian immediately if signs of intolerance are observed. The vast majority of patients with drug related adverse reactions have recovered when the signs are recognized, the drug is withdrawn, and veterinary care, if appropriate, is initiated.

Clinical Pharmacology:

In an inflammation model in cats, robenacoxib had analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic actions with a rapid onset of action (0.5 h). 1 In an in vitro whole blood assay in cats, robenacoxib demonstrated selective COX-2 inhibition. 2 The clinical relevance of this data has not been shown. Robenacoxib is an analog of diclofenac.

Absorption

Peak blood concentrations of robenacoxib are attained rapidly after subcutaneous injection in cats. After a dosage of 2 mg/kg, a Tmax of 1 hour, a Cmax of 1464 ng/ml and an AUC(0-inf) of 3128 ng.h/ml is obtained. The injection has a systemic bioavailability of 69%, which is higher than that observed after an equivalent oral dose. A slightly less than dose proportional increase in exposure was observed with an increase in dose (a 2X dose resulted in a 1.4X increase in drug exposure; a 3X increase in dose resulted in a 2.3X increase in drug exposure).

Distribution

Robenacoxib has a relatively small volume of distribution (mean Vss = 190 ml/kg) and is highly bound to plasma proteins (>99%). Robenacoxib persists longer in the inflammatory exudate of a tissue cage model than in blood. The median robenaxocib elimination half-life in exudate was about 27 hours versus 2.5 hours for blood.

Metabolism

Robenacoxib is extensively metabolized by the liver in cats. Apart from one lactam metabolite, the identity of other metabolites is not known.

Elimination

Robenacoxib is rapidly cleared from blood (mean clearance [CL] = 0.44 L/kg/h) with an elimination mean half-life (t1/2) of 1.1 hours after intravenous administration. After subcutaneous administration, the terminal half-life was 1.1 hour (range of estimated values was 0.9 hour to 1.6 hours). Repeated subcutaneous administration at dosages of 2-20 mg/kg produced no change in the blood profile, with neither bioaccumulation of robenacoxib nor enzyme induction. Elimination occurs predominantly through the biliary route (fecal and urinary excretion are 60 and 16.5% respectively). The pharmacokinetics of robenacoxib injection does not differ between male and female.

Animal Safety:

3-day Target Animal Safety Study: In a laboratory study, ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection was administered subcutaneously once daily for 3 days at 5 times the labeled dose (5X= 10 mg/kg). Treatment was associated with vomiting, soft feces/diarrhea, and injection site swelling which disappeared within 72 hours following injection. Histologically, minimal to slight inflammatory cell infiltration in the subcutaneous tissue underlying the injection site was noted in most treated and saline-control cats. Minimal to moderate, locally extensive subcutaneous muscle necrosis and signs of muscle regeneration were seen in 35/37 biopsies of the injection sites in treated cats and in none of the control cat biopsies. Several treated cats had clinically significant elevations in creatine kinase (CK) levels compared to the control cats.

37-Day Interchangeable Use Study: ONSIOR was administered orally (6 mg tablets) and subcutaneously (20 mg/mL solution) to 4-month old healthy cats at 0, 1, 2, and 3 times the labeled doses (1X = 2.4 mg/kg/day orally based on the inherent tablet dose band or 2.0 mg/kg/day subcutaneously). Interchangeable use was evaluated by alternating three 7-day oral tablet/3-day subcutaneous injection cycles followed by one final 7-day oral tablet dosing cycle. All cats survived until study termination. Findings included: elevated creatine kinase levels on Days 13 and 37, soft stools, histologic observation of a minimal oral (tongue) ulceration in a 1X cat, injection site edema for up to 120 hours prior to resolution, and a prolonged QT interval in treated cats as compared to the controls on Day 36. There was a dose dependent and statistically significant increase in the QT interval at all three ONSIOR tablets/ONSIOR injection treatment levels. It is unknown if the increased QT interval suggests an elevated risk of ventricular arrhythmia or torsade de pointes in cats. In addition, a longer PR interval was noted in 1X group females on Day 36 compared to the controls. One 2X cat vomited twice during the last 2 dosing days. Histologically, the injection sites had minimal or mild, subacute/ chronic inflammation. Inflammation at the injection sites was observed in both treated and control animals with a greater frequency in the higher dose groups than in the control and 1X groups. Dose-normalized AUC and concentration levels were higher following the oral route than the subcutaneous route. There was no significant accumulation following once daily administration. One 2X-treated cat had a 7-fold increase in buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) during the treatment period compared to the pre-treatment value.

Preliminary 37-Day Interchangeable Use Study: ONSIOR was administered orally (6 mg tablets) and subcutaneously (20 mg/mL solution) to 4-month old cats at 0, 1, and 5 times the labeled doses (1X = 2.4 mg/kg/day orally based on the inherent tablet dose band or 2.0 mg/kg/day subcutaneously). Interchangeable use was evaluated by alternating three 7-day oral tablet/3-day subcutaneous injection cycles followed by one final 7-day oral tablet dosing cycle. Clinical findings included: scabs and sores at the injection sites of one 1X female and two 5X females, and injection site edema noted more frequently in treated cats. Injection site changes were characterized as minimal to moderate granulomatous inflammation, minimal to moderate fibroplasia/fibrosis, and minimal myofiber regeneration of the panniculus carnosus. In one 1X female, moderate necrosis of a blood vessel was noted within the granulomatous inflammation. Minimal myofiber regeneration was observed in the underlying skeletal muscle in three out of four 5X males.

A red depressed area on the upper lip of one 5X cat correlated histologically with a minimal ulcer. Creatinine was significantly increased in 5X cats compared to the controls. Urine specific gravities remained within normal limits for all 5X cats, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values remained within normal limits for all study animals. Histologically, renal changes included bilateral or unilateral minimal to moderate vacuolation and bilateral or unilateral minimal to mild degeneration of proximal tubules were observed in three 5X males. Two 5X males had mineralized foci in the epithelium covering the papilla.

One 5X female had a brief episode of ataxia and lethargy on Day 16. This cat was subsequently noted to be dehydrated and constipated, requiring veterinary intervention with subcutaneous fluid therapy and nutritional supplementation. This cat had the greatest QT increase on ECG evaluation.

Effectiveness:

Effectiveness was demonstrated using ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection in a masked, placebo-controlled, multi-site field study involving client-owned cats. In this study, 349 cats presenting for ovariohysterectomy or castration in conjunction with an onychectomy (forelimbs only) were randomly administered ONSIOR injection or saline. Drug was administered approximately 30 minutes prior to surgery along with pre-anesthetic medications and continued once daily for two additional treatments. Effectiveness was evaluated in 348 cats (173 treated and 175 controls) and field safety was evaluated in 349 cats. A statistically significant difference in the proportion of treatment successes in the ONSIOR injection treatment group (83.5%) compared to the control group (61.9%) was observed. Statistically significant differences for pain elicited on palpation at the spay or castration incision site, paw pain, behavior following social interaction and from a distance, posture score and overall pain at various post-surgical time points were also observed. The results of the field study demonstrate that ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection when administered for a maximum of 3 days is effective and well-tolerated for the control of postoperative pain associated with onychectomy, ovariohysterectomy, and castration in cats.

How Supplied:

ONSIOR (robenacoxib) injection is available as a 20 mg/mL solution in a 20 mL multidose vial.

Storage Conditions:

Store under refrigerated conditions 2°– 8°C (36° – 46°F).

Use within 12 weeks of first puncture.

Manufactured for: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.
                                Greensboro, NC 27408 USA

References:

1Giraudel, J.M., King J.N., Jeunesse, E.C., Lees, P. & Toutain, P.L. (2008). Use of a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic approach in the cat to determine a dosage regimen for the COX-2 selective drug robenacoxib. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2009;32:18-30.

2Giraudel, J.M., Toutain, P.L., King J.N., & Lees, P. Differential inhibition of cyclooxygenase isoenzymes in the cat by the COX-2 selective drug robenacoxib. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2009;32:31-40.

NADA # 141-443, Approved by FDA
© 2015 Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.
ONSIOR is a registered trademark of Novartis AG
NAH/ONS-INJ/20mL/VI/1

Principal Display Panel - Carton Label

onsior®
(robenacoxib)

injection

20 mg/mL

For subcutaneous
use in Cats Only

A Coxib Class Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by
or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Net contents:

1 multi-dose vial containing 20 mL
NADA 141-443, Approved by FDA

NOVARTIS

Principal Display Panel - Carton Label

Principal Display Panel - Vial Label

onsior®
(robenacoxib)

injection

20 mg/mL

For subcutaneous use in Cats Only

A Coxib Class Non-Steroidal

Anti-inflammatory

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug
to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

20 mL

NADA 141-443, Approved by FDA.

617603 312240 USA

PC469A

Principal Display Panel - Vial Label
ONSIOR (ROBENACOXIB) 
robenacoxib injection, solution
Product Information
Product TypePRESCRIPTION ANIMAL DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:58198-6126
Route of AdministrationSUBCUTANEOUS
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
robenacoxib (UNII: Z588009C7C) (robenacoxib - UNII:Z588009C7C) robenacoxib20 mg  in 1 mL
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
polyethylene glycol 400 (UNII: B697894SGQ)  
alcohol (UNII: 3K9958V90M)  
poloxamer 188 (UNII: LQA7B6G8JG)  
sodium metabisulfite (UNII: 4VON5FNS3C)  
citric acid monohydrate (UNII: 2968PHW8QP)  
sodium hydroxide (UNII: 55X04QC32I)  
Product Characteristics
Color    Score    
ShapeSize
FlavorMEAT (MEAT) Imprint Code
Contains    
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:58198-6126-31 in 1 CARTON
120 mL in 1 VIAL
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NADANADA14144308/05/201509/30/2018
Labeler - Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. (966985624)

Revised: 8/2015
 
Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.