Flunixin Meglumine
Encyclopedia
Flunixin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID), analgesic
, and antipyretic
used in horses. It is often formulated as the meglumine
salt. In the United States, it is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and may only be lawfully distributed by order of a licensed veterinarian.
pain, muscle pain, and joint disease, as well as to alleviate fevers and pain, and prevent endotoxemia. It is also effective in injuries of the eye.
The full analgesic and antipyretic effects usually occur 1-2 hours following treatment, but there is often an effective analgesic effect within approximately 15 minutes.
Flunixin does not treat the underlying problem causing the fever or pain, only the symptoms. Additionally, pain is often useful for a veterinarian to diagnose a horse's condition, and masking it with flunixin may do more harm than good. For this reason, there are many veterinarians who do not wish for the animal to be given flunixin if colic is suspected, instead preferring to withhold the drug until the need for colic surgery has been determined. It is therefore advisable to ask the horse's veterinarian before giving the drug.
Flunixin is a prohibited class A drug under International Federation for Equestrian Sports
rules, and its use is prohibited or restricted by many other equestrian organizations. It can be detected in the blood for 2-3 days, and in the urine up to 15 days following administration.
Dosages are usually reduced for ponies, who are more at-risk for NSAID side effects, as well as horses with decreased liver or kidney function (such as older horses).
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs, but also referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents/analgesics or nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medicines , are drugs with analgesic and antipyretic effects and which have, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory...
(NSAID), analgesic
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
, and antipyretic
Antipyretic
Antipyretics ; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature...
used in horses. It is often formulated as the meglumine
Meglumine
Meglumine is an amino sugar derived from sorbitol. It is often used as an excipient in pharmaceuticals and in conjunction with iodinated compounds in contrast media such as diatrizoate meglumine and iodipamide meglumine....
salt. In the United States, it is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and may only be lawfully distributed by order of a licensed veterinarian.
Uses
Because it targets the inflamed tissue, flunixin is mainly used for colicColic
Colic is a form of pain which starts and stops abruptly. Types include:*Baby colic, a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying*Renal colic, a pain in the flank, characteristic of kidney stones...
pain, muscle pain, and joint disease, as well as to alleviate fevers and pain, and prevent endotoxemia. It is also effective in injuries of the eye.
The full analgesic and antipyretic effects usually occur 1-2 hours following treatment, but there is often an effective analgesic effect within approximately 15 minutes.
Side effects and precautions
Flunixin should not be given for more than five days. Like most NSAIDs, it can produce gastrointestinal (GI) side effects if the drug is given in high doses or over several days. GI ulceration is the most common side effect, especially in the animal's large colon or stomach, and is most likely to occur if the drug is given for a prolonged period. Other side effects include kidney damage and bleeding problems. It should be used with caution in horses with kidney or liver disease.Flunixin does not treat the underlying problem causing the fever or pain, only the symptoms. Additionally, pain is often useful for a veterinarian to diagnose a horse's condition, and masking it with flunixin may do more harm than good. For this reason, there are many veterinarians who do not wish for the animal to be given flunixin if colic is suspected, instead preferring to withhold the drug until the need for colic surgery has been determined. It is therefore advisable to ask the horse's veterinarian before giving the drug.
Flunixin is a prohibited class A drug under International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
rules, and its use is prohibited or restricted by many other equestrian organizations. It can be detected in the blood for 2-3 days, and in the urine up to 15 days following administration.
Combining with other drugs
Flunixin should not be combined with other NSAIDs or corticosteriods, as this increases the risk of gastric ulcers, right dorsal colitis, and kidney disease. Additionally, veterinarians should use caution when combining it with anticoagulants or aminoglycoside antibiotics. Flunixin is commonly used with omeprazole, sucralfate, and cimetidine to protect the gastrointestinal tract.....Administration
Flunixin may be given orally as a paste or as granules in feed. It can also be used intramuscularly or intravenously, although because it is very irritating to tissue, the IV route is preferred, and in cattle it is the labeled route of administration.Dosages are usually reduced for ponies, who are more at-risk for NSAID side effects, as well as horses with decreased liver or kidney function (such as older horses).
Trade names
In the USA the trade names are Banamine, Flunixamine, Citation, Equileve, and Meflosyl Solution. In the UK the trade names are Flunixin, Finadyne and Cronyxin. In South Africa and Australia a common trade name is Finadyne.Sources
- Forney, Barbara C, MS, VMD.Equine Medications, Revised Edition. Blood Horse Publications. Lexington, KY. Copyright 2007.