Pharmacokinetics and safety of oral administration of meloxicam to foals.

The research investigates the pharmacokinetics and safety of orally administered meloxicam in foals. Meloxicam activity in adult horses has been studied earlier but not in foals. The research found that meloxicam clears out more swiftly in foals as compared to adult horses and it is found to be well tolerated by foals when given for up to 3 weeks.

Objective

The goal of this research was to compare the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in foals and adult horses. The researchers hypothesize that drug metabolism may differ between these two groups due to their physiological differences. Furthermore, given their young age, foals might be more prone to developing adverse effects from the medication.

Methods

• Twenty lightbreed foals below 6 weeks of age were selected for this study.
• In the first phase of the study, the pharmacokinetics of a single and repeated oral dose of meloxicam was determined in 10 foals.
• The second phase of the study evaluated the drug’s safety in another group of 10 foals. This was a randomized, blinded, prospective study.

Results

• The results showed that plasma concentrations after a single oral dose of meloxicam were similar to those in adult horses. However, the drug was cleared more rapidly in foals.
• The drug was well tolerated by foals administered a dose of 0.6 mg/kg every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks. There was no evidence of drug accumulation in plasma.
• Furthermore, foals did not experience the adverse effects observed in adult horses given a higher dosage.

Conclusions

Meloxicam, when administered orally at a dosage rate of 0.6 mg/kg every 12 hours, provided therapeutic plasma concentrations. Interestingly, in contrast to findings for other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), foals appeared more resilient to this drug’s adverse effects as compared to adult horses. This research may prove beneficial in revising dosing guidelines for meloxicam in foals.