Doses - DESOXYCORTICOSTERONE PIVALATE, (DOCP)

Dogs:

Note: Dosage requirements are variable and should be individualized to the patient.
For hypoadrenocorticism:
a) Initially, inject 2.2 mg/kg IM every 25 days. Monitor (serum potassium and sodium)and adjust as necessary. Most patients are well controlled at doses of 1.1 - 2.2 mg/kggiven every 21-30 days. (Proposed Package Insert for DOCP. Note: Not final and not
FDA-approved; refer to actual package insert for approved dose)
b) Initially, inject 2.2 mg/kg IM every 25 days. Because it has little or no glucocorticoidactivity, add prednisone or prednisolone at 0.2 mg/kg PO daily. Adjust dosages untildog is stable and otherwise healthy. Then slowly reduce glucocorticoid to a minimal orzero dosage. Perhaps one-half of all dogs will require no routine glucocorticoid, butshould have it available for emergencies. Monitor (serum potassium and sodium, BUN)and adjust as necessary. (Feldman, Nelson et al. 1992)
c) 1 - 2 mg/kg IM every 3-4 weeks (some dogs require up to 3 mg/kg) (Nichols, Petersonet al. 1994)
Monitoring Parameters - 1) Serum electrolytes, BUN, creatinine; initially every 1-2 weeks, thenonce stabilized every 3-4 months; 2) Weight, PE for edema
Client Information - Clients should be familiar with the symptoms associated with both hypoadrenocorticism (e.g., weakness, depression, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) and DOCP overdosage (e.g., edema) and report these to the veterinarian immediately. If client is injecting the drugat home, instruct in proper technique for IM administration. Vial should be shaken vigorously tosuspend the microcrystals.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status - Veterinary-Approved Products:
Desoxycorticosterone Pivalate Injectable Suspension 25 mg/ml in 4 ml vials; Percorten-V®(Novartis); (Rx) Approved for use in dogs.
Human-Approved Products: None