XL Vets equine factsheets

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are probably some of the most widely used drugs used in both human and equine medicine. They act to reduce pain by inhibiting the inflammatory pathways after injury. Common NSAIDs used in human medicine include aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen. NSAIDs used in equine medicine include phenylbutazone (bute), meloxicam, suxibuzone and flunixin. NSAIDs may be administered by injection, orally (as a powder, granules or paste given in feed or by mouth) or in a cream, ointment, gel or lotion to apply to the surface of inflamed tissues such as the skin.