FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE
Chemistry - Flunixin meglumine, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that is a highly substituted derivative of nicotinic acid, is unique structurally when compared to other NSAIDs. The chemical name for flunixin is 3-pyridine-carboxylic acid.
Flunixin has been touted for many other indications in various species, including: Horses: foaldiarrheas, shock, colitis, respiratory disease, post-race treatment, and pre- and post ophthalmic andgeneral surgery;Dogs:
disk problems, arthritis, heat stroke, diarrhea, shock, ophthalmic inflammatory conditions, pre- and post ophthalmic and general surgery, and treatment of parvovirus infection; Cattle: acute respiratory disease, acute coliform mastitis with endotoxic shock, pain(downer cow), and calf diarrheas; Swine: agalactia/hypogalactia, lameness, and piglet diarrhea. Itshould be noted that the evidence supporting some of these indications is equivocal and flunixinmay not be appropriate for every case.
Contraindications/Precautions - The only contraindication the manufacturer lists for flunixin'suse in horses is for patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to it. It is suggested, however, that flunixin be used cautiously in animals with preexisting GI ulcers, renal, hepatic or hematologic diseases. When using to treat colic, flunixin may mask the behavioral and cardiopulmonary signs associated with endotoxemia or intestinal devitalization and must be used with caution.
In cattle, the drug is contraindicated in animals who have shown prior hypersensitivity reactions to it and is not recommended to be used in breeding bulls (lack of reproductive safety data).
Although reports of teratogenicity, effects on breeding performance, or gestation length have not been noted, flunixin should be used cautiously in pregnant animals.
Flunixin is usually considered to be contraindicated in cats, but some clinicians may use it short term (see doses).
CNS stimulation (hysteria), ataxia, hyperventilation, and muscle weakness. Symptoms are transientand generally do not require any treatment. Flunixin appears to be a relatively safe agent for use inthe horse, but the potential does exist for GI intolerance, hypoproteinemia, and hematologicabnormalities to occur. Flunixin is not to be used in horses intended for food.
In horses and cattle, rare anaphylactic-like reactions have been reported, primarily after rapid IVadministration.
In dogs, GI distress is the most likely adverse reaction. Symptoms may include, vomiting, diarrhea, and ulceration with very high doses or chronic use. There have been anecdotal reports of flunixincausing renal shutdown in dogs when used at higher dosages pre-operatively.
Overdosage - No clinical case reports of flunixin overdoses were discovered. It is suggested thatacute overdosage be handled by using established protocols of emptying the gut (if oral ingestionand practical or possible) and treating the patient supportively.
Additional y, use flunixin cautiously with warfarin, methotrexate, and aspirin or other ulcerigenic agents. Flunixin could theoretically reduce the saluretic and diuretic effects of furosemide.
Use with caution in patients with severe cardiac failure.
Storage, Stability, Compatibility
All flunixin products should be stored between 2-30°C (36-86°F). It has been recommended that flunixin meglumine injection not be mixed with other drugs because of unknown compatibilities.Pharmacology - FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE
Flunixin is a very potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and like other NSAIDs, it exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyrexic activity. Flunixin does not appreciably alter GI motility in horses and may improve hemodynamics in animals with septic shock.Pharmacokinetics - FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE
In the horse, flunixin is rapidly absorbed following oral administration withan average bioavailability of 80% and peak serum levels in 30 minutes. The onset of action isgenerally within 2 hours; peak response occurs between 12-16 hours and the duration of actionlasts up to 36 hours. It is unknown how extensively flunixin is bound to plasma proteins or where itdistributes in the body. It is unclear if the drug is extensively metabolized and exactly how the drugis removed from the body. Serum half-lives have been determined in horses » 1.6 hours, dogs » 3.7hours; cattle » 8.1 hours. Flunixin is detectable in equine urine for at least 48 hrs. after a dose.Uses, Indications
In the United States, flunixin meglumine is approved for use in horses andcattle. However, it is approved for use in dogs in other countries. The approved indications for itsuse in the horse are for the alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletaldisorders and alleviation of visceral pain associated with colic in the horse. In cattle it is approvedfor the control of pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease and endotoxemia, and for thecontrol of inflammation in endotoxemia.Flunixin has been touted for many other indications in various species, including: Horses: foaldiarrheas, shock, colitis, respiratory disease, post-race treatment, and pre- and post ophthalmic andgeneral surgery;
Dogs: 
disk problems, arthritis, heat stroke, diarrhea, shock, ophthalmic inflammatory conditions, pre- and post ophthalmic and general surgery, and treatment of parvovirus infection; Cattle: acute respiratory disease, acute coliform mastitis with endotoxic shock, pain(downer cow), and calf diarrheas; Swine: agalactia/hypogalactia, lameness, and piglet diarrhea. Itshould be noted that the evidence supporting some of these indications is equivocal and flunixinmay not be appropriate for every case. Contraindications/Precautions - The only contraindication the manufacturer lists for flunixin'suse in horses is for patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions to it. It is suggested, however, that flunixin be used cautiously in animals with preexisting GI ulcers, renal, hepatic or hematologic diseases. When using to treat colic, flunixin may mask the behavioral and cardiopulmonary signs associated with endotoxemia or intestinal devitalization and must be used with caution.
In cattle, the drug is contraindicated in animals who have shown prior hypersensitivity reactions to it and is not recommended to be used in breeding bulls (lack of reproductive safety data).
Although reports of teratogenicity, effects on breeding performance, or gestation length have not been noted, flunixin should be used cautiously in pregnant animals.
Flunixin is usually considered to be contraindicated in cats, but some clinicians may use it short term (see doses).
Adverse Effects, Warnings
In horses following IM injection, reports of localized swelling, induration, stiffness, and sweating have been reported. Do not inject intra-arterially as it may causeCNS stimulation (hysteria), ataxia, hyperventilation, and muscle weakness. Symptoms are transientand generally do not require any treatment. Flunixin appears to be a relatively safe agent for use inthe horse, but the potential does exist for GI intolerance, hypoproteinemia, and hematologicabnormalities to occur. Flunixin is not to be used in horses intended for food.
In horses and cattle, rare anaphylactic-like reactions have been reported, primarily after rapid IVadministration.
In dogs, GI distress is the most likely adverse reaction. Symptoms may include, vomiting, diarrhea, and ulceration with very high doses or chronic use. There have been anecdotal reports of flunixincausing renal shutdown in dogs when used at higher dosages pre-operatively.
Overdosage - No clinical case reports of flunixin overdoses were discovered. It is suggested thatacute overdosage be handled by using established protocols of emptying the gut (if oral ingestionand practical or possible) and treating the patient supportively.
Drug Interactions
Drug/drug interactions have not been appreciably studied for flunixin, but if it follows other NSAIDs it should be used cautiously with highly protein bound drugs such as phenytoin, valproic acid, oral anticoagulants, other anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates, sulfonamides, and the sulfonylurea antidiabetic agents.Additional y, use flunixin cautiously with warfarin, methotrexate, and aspirin or other ulcerigenic agents. Flunixin could theoretically reduce the saluretic and diuretic effects of furosemide.
Use with caution in patients with severe cardiac failure.