New pain killer for horses suffering from arthritis gets FDA approval

Equioxx paste, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for use in horses, is now available to help relieve joint pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

“In trails, Equioxx had impressive results reducing pain and inflammation. It is a long-awaited NSAID paste designed specifically for horses that has an excellent safety profile,” says Merial executive director, pharmaceutical R&D projects, Peter Hanson, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVS.

Recently there has been growing concern about the safety of long-term use of NSAIDs, such as bute and others. According to a report from Merial, a targeted study was conducted that evaluated safety and side effects of firocoxib, the active ingredient in Equioxx. The study involved 30 horses of various breeds and sizes. Horses receiving the normal recommended dose (once daily) of firocoxib did not experience any treatment-related side effects. Findings also showed that after one dose of Equioxx, the drug remained in the horses’ bloodstreams over a long time period, suggesting that one treatment is effective for 24 hours. Based on study results, 84 percent of horses treated with Equioxx showed improvement.

Equioxx has not been tested in horses less than 1 year of age, or in breeding horses, or pregnant or lactating mares. Use with other NSAIDs or corticosteroids should be avoided.
For more information, visit www.equioxx.com.