FluMeglumine (Manufacturer may vary)

FluMeglumine is used to treat horses suffering from musculoskeletal problems and pain associated with colic. This prescription drug controls pain and inflammation and may also be prescribed by some veterinarians for the treatment of toxic shock.

Benefits:
• Reduces Pain: Alleviates visceral pain associated with colic and inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorder in horses.
• Powerful: Four times more potent than phenylbutazone on a mg to mg basis in an equine lameness model.
• FDA approved for Cattle: controls pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease and endotocemia; also controls inflammation in endotoxemia.
• Rapid Acting: Within 15 minutes when given IV.
• Long Acting: Still active up to 24-36 hours after last dose.
• Non-Steroidal: No adrenal suppression or steroid side effects.
• Non-Narcotic: Does not contribute to CNS or cardiac depression.

FluMeglumine is most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal problems and the pain associated with colic. It may also be used by some veterinarians for the treatment of toxic shock. The active ingredient is flunixin meglumine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that controls pain and inflammation in horses. Please purchase needles and syringes separately.

How it works: FluMeglumine treats musculoskeletal problems and the pain associated with colic by means of its anti-inflammatory properties. FluMeglumine contains the prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flunixin meglumine that decreases pain by exerting its effect on pain centers in the brain and/or decreasing pain locally by reducing swelling and inflammation at the site of irritation.

Horse: The recommended dose for musculoskeletal disorders is 0.5 mg per pound (1 mL/100lbs) of body weight once daily. Treatment may be given by intravenous or intramuscular injection and repeated for up to 5 days. Studies show the onset of activity is within 2 hours. Peak response occurs between 12 and 16 hours, and the duration of activity is 24-36 hours. The recommended dose for the alleviation of pain associated with equine colic is 0.5 mg per pound of body weight. Intravenous administration is recommended for prompt relief. Clinical studies show pain is alleviated in less than 15 minutes in many cases. Treatment may be repeated when signs of colic recur. During clinical studies, approximately 10% of the horses required one or two additional treatments. The cause of colic should be determined and treated with concomitant therapy.

View FluMeglumine Drug Facts Sheet.

Cattle: The recommended dose for control of pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease and endotoxemia and control of inflammation in endotoxemia is 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg (0.5 to 1.0 mg/lb; 1 to 2 mL per 100 lbs) of body weight given by slow intravenous administration either once a day as a single dose or divided into two doses administered at 12-hour intervals for up to 3 days. The total daily dose should not exceed 2.2 mg/kg (1.0 mg/lb) of body weight. Avoid rapid intravenous administration of the drug. The recommended dose for acute bovine mastitis is 2.2 mg/kg (1 mg/lb; 2 mL per 100 lbs) of body weight given once by intravenous administration.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Horse: There are no known contraindications to this drug when used as directed. Intra-arterial injection should be avoided. Horses inadvertently injected intra-arterially can show adverse reactions. Signs can be ataxia, incoordination, hyperventilation, hysteria, and muscle weakness. Signs are transient and disappear without antidotal medication within a few minutes. Do not use in horses showing hypersensitivity to flunixin meglumine.

Cattle: NSAIDs inhibit production of prostaglandins which are important in signaling the initiation of parturition. The use of flunixin can delay parturition and prolong labor which may increase the risk of stillbirth. Do not use FluMeglumine Injectable Solution within 48 hours of expected parturition. Do not use in animals showing hypersensitivity to flunixin meglumine. Use judiciously when renal impairment or gastric ulceration are suspected.

RESIDUE WARNINGS: Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 4 days of the last treatment. Milk that has been taken during treatment and for 36 hours after the last treatment must not be used for food. Not for use in dry dairy cows. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Not for use in horses intended for food. Approved only for intravenous administration in cattle. The intramuscular administration has resulted in violative residues in the edible tissues of cattle sent to slaughter.

PRECAUTIONS

As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse effects varies with the individual patient. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction.

Since many NSAIDs possess the potential to induce gastrointestinal ulceration, concomitant use of FluMeglumine Injectable Solution with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs and corticosteroids, should be avoided or closely monitored.

Horse: The effect of FluMeglumine Injectable Solution on pregnancy has not been determined. Studies to determine the activity of FluMeglumine Injectable Solution when administered concomitantly with other drugs have not been conducted. Drug compatibility should be monitored closely in patients requiring adjunctive therapy.

Cattle: Do not use in bulls intended for breeding, as reproductive effects of FluMeglumine Injectable Solution in these classes of cattle have not been investigated. NSAIDs are known to have potential effects on both parturition and the estrous cycle. There may be a delay in the onset of estrus if flunixin is administered during the prostaglandin phase of the estrous cycle. The effects of flunixin on imminent parturition have not been evaluated in a controlled study. NSAIDs are known to have the potential to delay parturition through a tocolytic effect. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

SAFETY:

Horse: A 3-fold intramuscular dose of 1.5 mg/lb of body weight daily for 10 consecutive days was safe. No changes were observed in hematology, serum chemistry, or urinalysis values. Intravenous dosages of 0.5 mg/lb daily for 15 days; 1.5 mg/lb daily for 10 days; and 2.5 mg/lb daily for 5 days produced no changes in blood or urine parameters. No injection site irritation was observed following intramuscular injection of the 0.5 mg/lb recommended dose. Some irritation was observed following a 3-fold dose administered intramuscularly.

Cattle: No flunixin-related changes (adverse reactions) were noted in cattle administered a 1X (2.2 mg/kg; 1.0 mg/lb) dose for 9 days (three times the maximum clinical duration). Minimal toxicity manifested itself at moderately elevated doses (3X and 5X) when flunixin was administered daily for 9 days, with occasional findings of blood in the feces and/or urine. Discontinue use if hematuria or fecal blood are observed.

ADVERSE REACTIONS In horses, isolated reports of local reactions following intramuscular injection, particularly in the neck, have been received. These include localized swelling, sweating, induration, and stiffness. In rare instances in horses, fatal or nonfatal clostridial infections or other infections have been reported in association with intramuscular use of flunixin meglumine. In horses and cattle, rare instances of anaphylactic-like reactions, some of which have been fatal, have been reported, primarily following intravenous use.