Officials at the FDA recently approved the generic Firocxib Tablets for Horses (Pegasus Laboratories) to treat equine patients suffering from inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis. This approval marks the first generic firocoxib tablet for horses to receive FDA approval. These tablets contain the same concentration and dosage form as Equioxx Tablets (Merial Limited and Boehringer Ingelheim), the drug product that was approved by the FDA in 2016.

Firocoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by affecting the enzymes that cause fever, inflammation, and pain and is only available by prescription. This is because a veterinarian’s expertise is needed to determine if this course of treatment is appropriate while also monitoring the horses that are taking firocoxib.

With NSAIDs, there are some adverse effects veterinarians and owners should be on the lookout for. According to the FDA, some common adverse effects of this drug affect the tongue, lips, skin of the mouth, and face, including erosions and ulcers of the skin and mucosa. Other adverse effects associated with NSAIDs include gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver problems.

Veterinarians can prescribe firocoxib to horses as half-scored tablets in 57mf that can be administered once daily for up to 14 days. Each bottle contains 60 tablets. If prescribing or refilling this product, veterinarians should provide clients with the Firocoxib Tablets for Horses Client Information Sheet.