Distribution of Flunixin Meglumine and Firocoxib into Aqueous Humor of Horses

Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used systemically for the treatment of inflammatory ocular disease in horses. However, little information exists regarding the ocular penetration of this class of drugs in the horse. Objective: To determine the distribution of or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of veterinary internal medicine 2011-09, Vol.25 (5), p.1127-1133
Main Authors: Hilton, H.G., Magdesian, K.G., Groth, A.D., Knych, H., Stanley, S.D., Hollingsworth, S.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
4-Butyrolactone - analogs & derivatives
4-Butyrolactone - analysis
4-Butyrolactone - blood
4-Butyrolactone - pharmacokinetics
Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - analysis
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - blood
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacokinetics
Aqueous Humor - chemistry
Aqueous Humor - metabolism
Clonixin - analogs & derivatives
Clonixin - analysis
Clonixin - blood
Clonixin - pharmacokinetics
Cyclooxygenase
Dinoprostone - analysis
Female
Horses - blood
Horses - metabolism
Intraocular Pressure
Male
NSAID
Ophthalmology
Sulfones - analysis
Sulfones - blood
Sulfones - pharmacokinetics
Uveitis
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Summary:Background: Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used systemically for the treatment of inflammatory ocular disease in horses. However, little information exists regarding the ocular penetration of this class of drugs in the horse. Objective: To determine the distribution of orally administered flunixin meglumine and firocoxib into the aqueous humor of horses. Animals: Fifteen healthy adult horses with no evidence of ophthalmic disease. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to a control group and 2 treatment groups of equal sizes (n = 5). Horses assigned to the treatment groups received an NSAID (flunixin meglumine, 1.1 mg/kg PO q24h or firocoxib, 0.1 mg/kg PO q24h for 7 days). Horses in the control group received no medications. Concentrations of flunixin meglumine and firocoxib in serum and aqueous humor and prostaglandin (PG) E2 in aqueous humor were determined on days 1, 3, and 5 and aqueous : serum ratios were calculated. Results: Firocoxib penetrated the aqueous humor to a significantly greater extent than did flunixin meglumine at days 3 and 5. Aqueous : serum ratios were 3.59 ± 3.32 and 11.99 ± 4.62% for flunixin meglumine and firocoxib, respectively. Ocular PGE2 concentrations showed no differences at any time point among study groups. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Both flunixin meglumine and firocoxib penetrated into the aqueous humor of horses. This study suggests that orally administered firocoxib penetrates the aqueous humor better than orally administered flunixin meglumine at label dosages in the absence of ocular inflammation. Firocoxib should be considered for the treatment of inflammatory ophthalmic lesions in horses at risk for the development of adverse effects associated with nonselective NSAID administration.
ISSN:0891-6640
1939-1676
DOI:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0763.x