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Equine veterinary journal1985; 17(2); 83-96; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02056.x

Clinical pharmacology and therapeutic uses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the horse.

Abstract: Weak organic acids possessing anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties--commonly known as aspirin-like drugs--have been used in equine medicine for almost 100 years. These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be classified chemically into two groups; the enolic acids such as phenylbutazone and carboxylic acids like flunixin, meclofenamate and naproxen. All NSAIDs have similar and possibly identical modes of action accounting for both their therapeutic and their toxic effects. They block some part of the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme pathway and thereby suppress the synthesis of several chemical mediators of inflammation, collectively known as eicosanoids. The available evidence indicates that some of the newer NSAIDs have a reasonable safety margin but further studies are required. The toxicity of phenylbutazone in the horse has been investigated very thoroughly in recent years and it has been shown to cause renotoxicity and, most significantly, ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract when relatively high doses are administered. Several factors may predispose towards phenylbutazone toxicity in the horse, including breed and age, but high dosage is considered to be particularly important. The absorption into, and fate within, the body of NSAIDs are considered and particular attention is drawn to the ways in which these pharmacokinetic properties relate to the drugs' toxicity and clinical efficacy. In reviewing current knowledge of the clinical pharmacology of this important group of drugs, it is hoped to provide the clinician with a rational, scientific basis for their safe and effective use in equine practice.
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Publication Date: 1985-03-01 PubMed ID: 3987667DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02056.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the therapeutic uses and effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), notably their application in equine medicine to treat inflammation, pain, and fever. The study covers the chemical classifications of NSAIDs, their mode of action, toxicity, and the factors contributing to toxicity, particularly addressing the pharmacokinetic properties related to the drug’s toxicity and efficacy.

Chemical Classification of NSAIDs

  • The study classifies NSAIDs into two chemical groups, enolic acids and carboxylic acids, with examples such as phenylbutazone for enolic acids and flunixin, meclofenamate, and naproxen for carboxylic acids.

Mode of Action of NSAIDs

  • NSAIDs function by blocking part of the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme pathway, thereby suppressing the synthesis of chemical mediators of inflammation termed eicosanoids.
  • This action accounts for both their therapeutic, which is treatment-oriented, and toxic effects.

Safety and Toxicity of NSAIDs

  • The research indicates that newer NSAIDs have a fair safety margin, but more studies are required to firmly establish this.
  • The study pays particular attention to the toxicity of phenylbutazone in horses, proven to cause kidney toxicity (renotoxicity) and ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly when administered in high doses.

Factors Contributing to NSAID Toxicity

  • The research suggests that factors like breed and age may predispose horses towards phenylbutazone toxicity. However, high dosage is outlined as the most significant contributor.

Pharmacokinetic Properties of NSAIDs

  • The study discusses the absorption of NSAIDs into the body, their fate within the body, and how these pharmacokinetic properties relate to the drugs’ toxicity and clinical efficiency. Pharmacokinetics mainly refers to what the body does to a drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.

Conclusion

  • The article aims to provide practitioners with a scientific basis for the safe and effective use of NSAIDs in equine practice, by reviewing current knowledge of these drugs’ clinical pharmacology.

Cite This Article

APA
Lees P, Higgins AJ. (1985). Clinical pharmacology and therapeutic uses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the horse. Equine Vet J, 17(2), 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1985.tb02056.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 83-96

Researcher Affiliations

Lees, P
    Higgins, A J

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / blood
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
      • Biotransformation
      • Drug Interactions
      • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
      • Horses
      • Kinetics
      • Metabolic Clearance Rate
      • Structure-Activity Relationship

      Citations

      This article has been cited 19 times.
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