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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by two commercially a...
Equine veterinary journal2013; 46(1); 72-75; doi: 10.1111/evj.12095

Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by two commercially available firocoxib products in horses.

Abstract: Two firocoxib preparations for oral use are approved for use in animals in many countries: a chewable canine tablet and an equine paste. In order to reduce costs, many veterinarians use the canine product in horses even though this is an off-label use of the preparation. Objective: To determine the relative efficacy of 2 commercially available firocoxib products to inhibit prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2) synthesis after oral dosing in horses. Methods: A crossover design using 8 adult horses (n = 4 for each preparation during each treatment period). Body weight range 532-614 kg. Methods: Horses received 57 mg of the assigned firocoxib preparation orally once daily for 7 days, with a 14 day washout period between drug crossover. Ten healthy adult light breed horses were used as no-treatment controls. During each treatment period, blood was taken before dosing on Days 0 and 7 and on Day 7 1 h after dosing for ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation to induce (PGE₂ ) synthesis. Heparinised plasma was also collected on Day 7 immediately prior to and 1 h after dosing to determine plasma firocoxib concentrations. Results: In the control group, there was no significant change in LPS-induced PGE2 over time. In contrast, immediately prior to and 1 h after treatment on Day 7, the mean LPS-induced PGE₂ concentration decreased significantly compared to Day 0 values in all treated horses. There was no difference in PGE₂ or plasma firocoxib concentrations between firocoxib treatment groups. Conclusions: In this model, the canine chewable preparation of firocoxib was as effective as the equine paste formulation at reducing LPS-induced PGE₂ synthesis. Conclusions: The canine chewable preparation of firocoxib may be a suitable alternative to the paste formulation in horses for situations where extra-label drug use can be legally justified. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2013-07-16 PubMed ID: 23662599PubMed Central: PMC3805772DOI: 10.1111/evj.12095Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • 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 investigates the effectiveness of two forms of firocoxib – a chewable tablet for dogs and a paste for horses – in inhibiting prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2) production in horses. The study confirms that both forms of the drug were equally effective in reducing PGE2 levels, suggesting the canine tablet could be an effective alternative.

Objective of the Study

  • The main objective of the research was to evaluate the relative efficacy of two commercially available firocoxib drugs: a chewable canine tablet and an equine paste, in inhibiting prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2) production in horses. Veterinarians often use the canine tablet in horses as an off-label application mainly due to economic reasons.

Study Methodology

  • Eight adult horses, weighing between 532 and 614 kg, were utilized in a crossover design, with four horses assigned to each treatment group (canine tablet and equine paste).
  • Each horse was given 57 mg of the assigned firocoxib orally once a day for seven days with a 14-day washout period to eliminate the drug between each crossover.
  • Additionally, ten healthy adult horses served as no-treatment controls.
  • Blood samples were collected on Days 0 and 7 before the drug administration and on Day 7 one hour after drug administration, to stimulate the synthesis of PGE2.
  • Heparinised plasma was also collected on Day 7 both before and one hour after the drug dosing to check for plasma firocoxib concentrations.

Results

  • In the control group, there was no significant difference in LPS-induced PGE2 over time.
  • Contrarily, for the treated horses, a significant decrease in PGE2 concentration was observed before and one hour after treatment on Day 7, compared to Day 0 values.
  • No significant difference was seen in both PGE₂ levels and plasma firocoxib concentrations between the two firocoxib treated groups.

Conclusions

  • The results suggest that the chewable canine formulation of firocoxib is as effective as the equine paste formulation in reducing LPS-induced PGE₂ synthesis in horses.
  • Therefore, the chewable canine firocoxib may serve as a suitable alternative to the equine paste in certain situations where extra-label drug use can be legally justified.

Cite This Article

APA
Barton MH, Paske E, Norton N, King D, Giguère S, Budsberg S. (2013). Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase inhibition by two commercially available firocoxib products in horses. Equine Vet J, 46(1), 72-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12095

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 1
Pages: 72-75

Researcher Affiliations

Barton, M H
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, USA.
Paske, E
    Norton, N
      King, D
        Giguère, S
          Budsberg, S

            MeSH Terms

            • 4-Butyrolactone / analogs & derivatives
            • 4-Butyrolactone / pharmacology
            • Administration, Oral
            • Animals
            • Cross-Over Studies
            • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology
            • Dinoprostone / antagonists & inhibitors
            • Dinoprostone / metabolism
            • Dosage Forms
            • Horses
            • Sulfones / pharmacology

            Grant Funding

            • T35 OD010433 / NIH HHS
            • 9T35OD010433-06 / NIH HHS

            Conflict of Interest Statement

            Conflicts of Interest. No competing interests have been declared.

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 6 times.
            1. Fadel C, Giorgi M. Synopsis of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, applications, and safety of firocoxib in horses. Vet Anim Sci 2023 Mar;19:100286.
              doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100286pubmed: 36684818google scholar: lookup
            2. Bennett TE, Pavek TJ, Schwark WS, Singh B. Comparison of Nociceptive Effects of Buprenorphine, Firocoxib, and Meloxicam in a Plantar Incision Model in Sprague-Dawley Rats. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2021 Sep 1;60(5):539-548.
              doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-000142pubmed: 34266519google scholar: lookup
            3. Donnell JR, Frisbie DD. Use of firocoxib for the treatment of equine osteoarthritis. Vet Med (Auckl) 2014;5:159-168.
              doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S70207pubmed: 32670856google scholar: lookup
            4. Barton MH, Darden JE, Clifton S, Vandenplas M. Effect of firocoxib on cyclooxygenase 2, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1, and cytosolic phospholipase A2 gene expression in equine mononuclear cells. Am J Vet Res 2015 Dec;76(12):1051-7.
              doi: 10.2460/ajvr.76.12.1051pubmed: 26618729google scholar: lookup
            5. Shapiro AJ, Kimble B, Hulst F, Herrin KV, Marschner C, Chen CJ, Govendir M. Pharmacokinetic profile of oral firocoxib in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). PLoS One 2025;20(9):e0332448.
              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0332448pubmed: 41026701google scholar: lookup
            6. Ignácio FS, Garcia LV, de Souza GG, Amatti LZ, de Barros LD, Bergfelt DR, Camargo GS, de Meira C, de Almeida BFM. Hematological and Biochemical Effects Associated with Prolonged Administration of the NSAID Firocoxib in Adult Healthy Horses. Vet Sci 2024 Jun 5;11(6).
              doi: 10.3390/vetsci11060256pubmed: 38922003google scholar: lookup
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