Flunixin Meglumine

Flunixin meglumine is a potent, non-narcotic, non-steroidal analgesic agent with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. It is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme cyclooxygenase. It has demonstrated biological activity in the following areas:

• Analgesia (loss of pain). Flunixin meglumine demonstrated potent analgesic activity in laboratory studies with mice, rats, and monkeys. Parenterally, flunixin meglumine showed anti-writhing activity in mice equal to pentazocine and was more potent than meperidine and codeine. In the rat yeast paw test, it was significantly more potent than pentazocine, meperidine, and codeine. In monkeys, flunixin meglumine produced analgesia comparable to a clinically effective dose of morphine. In the horse, it has been shown to be an effective treatment of pain associated with colic. In contrast to narcotic agents, its analgesic effects were not antagonized by naloxone, tolerance did not develop, and cross-tolerance to codeine did not occur. These results show that flunixin meglumine is an effective analgesic in animals, and drug dependence liability does not occur.
• Anti-inflammatory. Flunixin meglumine showed anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory animals. A dose-related reduction in edema was recorded four hours after treatment. In the horse, anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated in lameness models, showing relief of pain by improving stride length and reducing swelling.
• Potency. Based on manufacturers' recommendations in the horse, parenteral Banamine (flunixin meglumine), on a milligram per milligram basis, is four times as potent as phenylbutazone and twice as potent as ketoprofen.