Flunixin

Flunixin

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATCvet code	QM01AG90 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-[[2-Methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid
CAS Number	38677-85-9 Y
PubChem CID	38081
ChemSpider	34911 N
UNII	356IB1O400
KEGG	D04215 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:76138 N
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1652146 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.115.991
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C14H11F3N2O2
Molar mass	296.24 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES CC1=C(C=CC=C1NC2=C(C=CC=N2)C(=O)O)C(F)(F)F
InChI InChI=1S/C14H11F3N2O2/c1-8-10(14(15,16)17)5-2-6-11(8)19-12-9(13(20)21)4-3-7-18-12/h2-7H,1H3,(H,18,19)(H,20,21) N Key:NOOCSNJCXJYGPE-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
NY (what is this?)

Flunixin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), analgesic, and antipyretic used in horses, cattle and pigs. It is often formulated as the meglumine salt. In the United States, it is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and may only be lawfully distributed by order of a licensed veterinarian. There are many trade names for the product.

Flunixin is administered at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg. The full analgesic and antipyretic effects usually occur 1–2 hours following treatment, but there is often an effective analgesic effect within approximately 15 minutes. Despite its short plasma half life of 1.6-2.5 hours, effects can persist for up to 30 hours, with maximal effects occurring between 2 and 16 hours. This is likely due to accumulation of the drug at inflammatory foci. Flunixin is primarily eliminated by the kidneys.

Because it targets the inflamed tissue, flunixin is mainly used for colic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and ocular pain. It is also used as an antipyretic and to reduce the effects of endotoxemia.

Flunixin is labeled for no more than 5 days of consecutive use and prolonged use increases the risk of toxicity. In horses, this includes gastric ulcers, right dorsal colitis, and nephrotoxicity.

Flunixin is a prohibited substance under International Federation for Equestrian Sports rules, and its use is prohibited or restricted by many other equestrian organizations. At labeled dose (1.1 mg/kg) given IV, detection time was found to be 144 hours. However, drug recycling from bedding contamination by treated horses has been shown to potentially increase the clearance time.

Flunixin may be given orally as a paste or as granules in feed. It can also be used intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV). However, it is very irritating to tissue and IM administration has been associated with myonecrosis in horses, so IV administration is preferred.