The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved the use of the new Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) EQUIOXX? (firocoxib) under their medication rules for show horses in sanctioned competition.

This new NSAID is the first highly COX-1 sparing drug to be FDA-approved for use in horses. The rule allowing the use of firocoxib will take effect on 8/1/07. Until this time, the use of firocoxib is restricted to use outside competition.

The new rule lists firocoxib as a NSAID with a restrictive quantitative limit, and allows for a maximum permitted concentration of 0.240 micrograms per milliliter of blood plasma. The recommendation for appropriate dose and time consideration is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for its use at 0.1 milligram per kilogram of body weight once daily. This corresponds with a 45.5 milligram dose for a 1000 lb. horse, and should be given no sooner than 12 hours prior to competing. Firocoxib is permitted to be used for a period of 14 consecutive days.

Until further review by the FEI, per manufacturer recommendation firocoxib should not be used in a horse in the 30 days prior to competing in an FEI-sanctioned event.

Blogger’s Note: This announcement concerns only horses in USEF events. Specific breed and showing and sport organizations may have other rules regarding this medication. International competitors should heed the warning about FEI medication rules.