Introduction

Name

• Flunixin meglumine.

Class of drug

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Analgesia: NSAID.

Description

Chemical name

• 2-[[2-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid.

Molecular formula

• C14H11F3N2O2.C7H17NO5.

Physical properties

• Pale sterile solution.
• Tablets.

Storage requirements

• Between 2-25°C.

Uses

Indications

• Flunixin controls moderate to severe visceral and somatic pain.
• To minimize the effects of endotoxemia.
  Pretreatment is most effective.
• Use of flunixin meglumine in small animal medicine has declined since the introduction of other NSAIDs with higher therapeutic indices.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• In man there is an increased risk of convulsions if NSAIDs are administered with fluoroquinolones.

• NSAIDs may antagonize the hypotensive effects of anti-hypertensives, eg beta-blockers.

• The concomitant use of diuretics may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Mathews K A (1996) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics to manage acute pain in dogs and cats. Comp Cont Educ Pract Vet 18 (10), 1117-1123.

Other sources of information

• Based on Small Animal Formulary. (1999) Tennant, Bryn 3rd edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.