Distribution of flunixin meglumine and firocoxib into aqueous humor of horses.

This research studied how well two anti-inflammatory drugs, flunixin meglumine and firocoxib, penetrate the eye fluid in horses. The results suggest that it is better to use firocoxib for inflammation in the eyes of horses as it is better absorbed than flunixin meglumine.

Study Design, Methodology and Participants

• The research was carried out using 15 healthy adult horses which were free of any eye disease.
• These horses were randomly split into three groups: a control group with no medication, and two treatment groups given one of the two drugs (flunixin meglumine and firocoxib).
• Each treatment group had an equal number of horses (n=5), and the drugs were administered orally at the standard dose rate for seven days.
• On days 1, 3, and 5 of the treatment period, the researchers analyzed the concentration of both drugs in the horses’ serum and eye fluid. They also measured the amount of prostaglandin E(2) – a chemical marker of inflammation – in the eye fluid.

Study Results

• Firocoxib was found to penetrate the eye fluid of the horses to a significantly greater extent than flunixin meglumine on days 3 and 5 of treatment.
• The ratios of drug concentration in the eye fluid versus the serum were 3.59 ± 3.32% and 11.99 ± 4.62% for flunixin meglumine and firocoxib, respectively, pointing to more efficient absorption of firocoxib.
• There was no significant difference in the concentration of prostaglandin E(2) in the eye fluid among different study groups on any day, suggesting neither drug had an effect on the inflammatory marker.

Research Conclusion

• Both flunixin meglumine and firocoxib showed penetration into the eye fluid of the horses. However, orally administered firocoxib was notably more efficient at penetrating the eye fluid than flunixin meglumine.
• These findings suggest that firocoxib could potentially be more effective for treating inflammation in the eyes of horses. Its superior absorption and distribution characteristics might make it an ideal choice for treating equine ocular disorders, particularly in those horses at risk for adverse effects of nonselective NSAID administration.

</ul