Flunixin meglumine

Blythe L L, Craig A M, Christensen J M et al 1986 Pharmacokinetic disposition of dimethyl sulfoxide administered intravenously to horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 47 1739-1743 Bottoms G D, Fessler J F, Roesel O F et al 1981 Endotoxin-induced hemodynamic changes in ponies effects of flunixin meglumine. American Journal of Veterinary Research 42 1514-1518... 

The NSAIDs are amongst the most commonly prescribed agents for use in horses. Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation are the most common indications for chronic administration of NSAIDs to horses, with phenylbutazone being the NSAID used most frequently for that purpose. Flunixin meglumine is most commonly administered for relief of acute gastrointestinal distress or colic, fever and soft-tissue inflanunation. In addition. 

Flunixin meglumine, a nicotinic acid derivative, is a potent analgesic commonly used to control severe intestinal pain or colic in the horse. In this setting, it has effects comparable to opioid analgesics without inducing the unwanted side-effects commonly observed with opiates in horses, such as CNS excitation and ileus (Boothe 1995). In addition, flunixin meglumine has been shown in several experimental models to produce antien-dotoxic effects at doses lower than those used for anti-inflammatory effects (Jackman et al 1994, Moore et al 1986, Templeton et al 1987). 

In horses, the pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine has been well defined. Flunixin meglumine, at the recommended dose of 1.1 mg/kg, has a short plasma half-life of approximately 1.5-3h. It persists in inflammatory exudates for much longer, however, with an exudate half-life of approximately 16 h (Landoni Lees 1995a, Soma et al 1988). Renal excretion of the parent compound seems to be the primary mode of elimination of flunixin meglumine in horses (Lees Higgins 1985). 

The pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine has also been studied in foals. In neonatal foals. 

Flunixin meglumine is available in both parenteral and oral formulations. The bioavailability of the oral products is generally reported to be good. In one study, when flunixin meglumine granules were administered via a nasogastric tube, the bioavailability was 85.8% (Soma et al 1988). 

In another study carried out in fasted ponies, the oral administration of a flunixin meglumine paste (l.lmg/kg) resulted in peak plasma concentrations >2 jLg/ml less than 1 h after administration (Welsh et al 1992). In ponies with free access to hay, the peak plasma concentration decreased to approximately 1.3 j,g/ml and the peak concentration was not reached until 7.6 h after administration (Welsh et al 1992). Nevertheless, the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) was not significantly different whether the ponies had been fasted or fed. The parenteral preparation of flunixin meglumine can be administered i.m. however, necrotizing soft-tissue infections have been reported following i.m. administration (Kahn Styrt 1997) and so aseptic preparation of the injection site is advisable. 

Betley M, Sutherland S F, Gregoricka M J et al 1991 The analgesic effect of ketoprofen for use in treating equine colic as compared to flunixin meglumine. Equine Practice 13 11-16... 

Chay S, Woods W E, Nugent T E et al 1982 The pharmacology of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the horse flunixin meglumine (Banamine). 

Galbraith L A, McKellar Q A 1996 Protein binding and in vitro serum thromboxane B2 inhibition by flunixin meglumine and meclofenamic acid in dog, goat and horse blood. Research in Veterinary Science 61 78-81 Gerring E L, Lees P, Taylor J B 1981 Pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone and Its metabolites in the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 13 152-157 Glaser K, Sung M L, O Neill K et al 1995 Etodolac... 

Hamm D, Turchi R Johnson J C et al 1997 Determination of an effective dose of eltenac and Its comparison with that of flunixin meglumine In horses after experimentally Induced carpitls. American Journal of Veterinary Research 58 298-302... 

King J N, Gerring E L 1989 Antagonism of endotoxin-induced disruption of equine bowel motility by flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 7 38-42... 

Moore J N, Hardee M M, HanJee G E 1986 Modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in endotoxic horses comparison of flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone and a selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor. American Journal of Veterinary Research 47 110-113... 

Jochle W 1989 Field trial evaluation of detomidine as a sedative and analgesic in horses with colic. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 136 117-120 Jochle W, Moore J N, Brown J et al 1989 Comparison of detomidine butorphanol, flunixin meglumine and xylazine In clinical cases of equine colic. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 136 111-116 Johnson C B, Taylor P M 1997 Effects of alfentanll on the equine electroencephalogram during anaesthesia with halothane In oxygen. Research in Veterinary Science 62 159-163... 

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