Dosage and
Administration:
The recommended dosage of
EQUIOXX (firocoxib) for oral administration in horses is 0.045 mg/lb
(0.1 mg/kg) of body weight once daily for up to 14 days.
Each marking on the
syringe will treat 250 pounds of body weight, and each notch corresponds
to approximately a 50 Ib weight increment. To deliver the correct dose,
round the horse's body weight up to the nearest 50 pound increment (if
the body weight is an exact 50 pound increment, do not round up). Unlock
the knurled ring on the syringe plunger by rotating it 1/4 turn. Slide
the knurled ring along the plunger shaft so that the side nearest the
barrel is at the appropriate 50 Ib weight notch. Rotate the plunger ring
1/4 turn to lock it in place and ensure it is locked.
EQUIOXX may be given with
or without food.
Contraindications:
Horses with
hypersensitivity to firocoxib or other NSAIDs should not receive EQUIOXX
Oral Paste.
Warnings:
For oral
use in horses only. Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.
Precautions:
Treatment with EQUIOXX
should be terminated if signs such as inappetance, colic, abnormal
feces, or lethargy are observed.
As a class, cyclooxygenase
inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with renal and gastrointestinal
toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse events varies with the
individual patient. Patients at greatest risk for adverse events are
those that are dehydrated, on diuretic therapy, or those with existing
renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction. Concurrent
administration of potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be carefully
approached or avoided. NSAIDs may inhibit the prostaglandins that
maintain normal homeostatic function. Such anti-prostaglandin effects
may result in clinically significant disease in patients with underlying
or pre-existing disease that has not been previously diagnosed. Since
many NSAIDs possess the potential to produce gastrointestinal
ulcerations, concomitant use with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided or closely monitored. The
concomitant use of protein bound drugs with EQUIOXX Oral Paste has not
been studied in horses. The influence of concomitant drugs that may
inhibit the metabolism of EQUIOXX Oral Paste has not been evaluated.
Drug compatibility should be monitored in patients requiring adjunctive
therapy.
The safe use of EQUIOXX
Oral Paste in horses less than one year in age, horses used for
breeding, or in pregnant or lactating mares has not been evaluated.
Consider appropriate
washout times when switching from one NSAID to another NSAID or
corticosteroid.
EQUIOXX (firocoxib) Oral
Paste was safely used concomitantly with other therapies, including
vaccines, anthelmintics, and antibiotics, during the field studies.
Adverse Reactions:
Adverse reactions may include erosions and
ulcers of the gums, tongue, lips and face, weight loss, colic, diarrhea,
or icterus. Serious adverse reactions associated with this drug class
can occur without warning and, in rare situations, result in death.
Horse Owners should be advised to discontinue NSAID therapy and contact their
veterinarian immediately if any of these signs of intolerance are
observed. The majority of patients with drug-related adverse reactions
recover when the signs are recognized, drug administration is stopped,
and veterinary care is initiated.
Federal law restricts this
drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian
Store below 86°F (30°C).
Brief excursions up to 104°F (40°C) are permitted.