Pharmacological regulation in the USA and pharmacokinetics parameters of firoxib, a highly selective Cox-2, by pain management in horses

Abstract

The objective of the study was to conduct a review of the pharmacological regulation and pharmacokinetic parameters of firocoxib when administered orally or intravenously in horses. A search for literature was done in SCOPUS and PubMed for studies that had to evaluate the pharmacological regulation as well as the pharmacokinetic parameters of firocoxib when administered in horses. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretics and antiendotoxic effects. The newly developed is selective to COX-2 characterized by less adverse effects in veterinary patients when administered at the recommended doses and do not exceed the established prescribed time. Firocoxib is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pain in horses, while for humans there is still no approval. Controversy has arisen since the administration of the same pharmaceutical presentation in horses and dogs have pharmacokinetic differences between animal species. However, special attention must be paid to pharmacokinetic differences between species, like in horses and dogs. In the case of the horse, the dosage is 0.1 mg / kg in single dose or up to 14 days in oral paste formulation and can keep maintained on the same concentration for a period of 7 to 14 days in oral tablet formulation. Thorough knowledge of pharmacological regulations and pharmacokinetic parameters, it allows the posology and effective application of firocoxib in pathologies associated with chronic pain, avoiding the indiscriminate use by owners and in some cases veterinarians, thus reducing the negative impacts on horse’s health.