MDose · Veterinary drug reference
FLUNIXIN
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
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Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications4
Alleviation of musculoskeletal inflammation/pain + visceral pain of colic (label); foal diarrheas, shock/colitis, post-surgery (extra-label adjuncts)
HorseOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Alleviation of musculoskeletal inflammation/pain + visceral pain of colic (label); foal diarrheas, shock/colitis, post-surgery (extra-label adjuncts) — Authorized (Banamine label)
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
BRD pyrexia, endotoxemia pyrexia/inflammation control (label); coliform mastitis endotoxic shock adjunct
CattleOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cattle · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: BRD pyrexia, endotoxemia pyrexia/inflammation control (label); coliform mastitis endotoxic shock adjunct — Authorized (label)
- Cattle · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Respiratory-disease pyrexia (label)
SwineOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Swine · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Respiratory-disease pyrexia (label) — Authorized
- Swine · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Largely superseded by modern NSAIDs — legacy dosing only
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Largely superseded by modern NSAIDs — legacy dosing only — Extra-label (legacy)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects152
Rare anaphylaxis (rapid IV) — Administration-rate related
HorseCattleNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cattle · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
IM injection pain/swelling — Route-related
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
GI ulceration/renal (class) — Preexisting-disease amplifier
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Flunixin was mildly irritating at the injection sites. No other flunixin-related changes (adverse reactions) were noted in swine administered a 1× (2.2 mg/kg; 1.0 mg/lb) dose for 9 days.
Species not recordedOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · SPL section 34084-4 (ADVERSE REACTIONS SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Death27 reports
- Vomiting24 reports
- Accidental exposure14 reports
- Depression14 reports
- Diarrhoea13 reports
- Anorexia10 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')8 reports
- Blood in vomit7 reports
- Death by euthanasia6 reports
- Haematochezia6 reports
- Melaena6 reports
- Collapse (see also 'Cardio-vascular' and 'Systemic disorders')5 reports
Cat
- Accidental exposure6 reports
- Anorexia4 reports
- Diarrhoea4 reports
- No sign3 reports
- Anaemia NOS2 reports
- Death2 reports
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)2 reports
- Elevated creatinine2 reports
- Hyperglycaemia2 reports
- Hypothermia2 reports
- Leucopenia NOS2 reports
- Adipsia1 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical: Colic-patient behavior despite analgesia (the masking trap); hydration/renal; injection sites
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
There are no known contraindications to this drug in swine when used as directed. Do not use in animals showing hypersensitivity to flunixin meglumine. Use judiciously when renal impairment or gastric ulceration is suspected.
Species not recordedOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · SPL section 34070-3 (CONTRAINDICATIONS SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions6
Preexisting GI ulcers, renal/hepatic/hematologic disease; colic-patient sign-masking; dehydration (renal perfusion)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The colic classic: 1.1 mg/kg IV — genuinely alleviates visceral pain but cannot substitute for a referral decision: it can buy time AND hide deterioration simultaneously.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Species-label inverse of small-animal NSAIDs: flunixin is THE large-animal FDA-approved NSAID (horse/cattle/swine) while being legacy-only in dogs — the mirror image of carprofen/meloxicam.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Rapid-IV anaphylaxis + IM-tissue reactions = the two administration rules (slow IV, avoid cattle IM).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
If the first dose fails for pain, subsequent doses rarely help (Plumb's explicit note) — escalate the workup, not the dose.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
Other NSAIDs/corticosteroids — Additive GI/renal toxicity — never stack
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Enrofloxacin (dog data) — Mutual AUC/t½ increases — caution
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Aminoglycosides — Renal additive risk during dehydration
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Mechanism — Potent COX inhibition (NSAID class) — strong visceral analgesia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Ruminant note — Better for visceral than musculoskeletal pain (evidence-based positioning)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The colic masking problem — May hide behavioral/cardiopulmonary signs of endotoxemia or devitalized bowel — monitor with that in mind
HorseNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Horse · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Flunixin meglumine is a potent non-narcotic, nonsteroidal, analgesic agent with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity. It is significantly more potent than pentazocine, meperidine, and codeine as an analgesic in the rat yeast paw test. 1 2 Flunixin is known to persist in inflammatory tissuesand is associated with anti-inflammatory properties which extend well beyond the period associated with detectable plasma drug concentrations. Therefore, prediction of drug concentrations based upon estimated plasma terminal elimination half-life will likely underestimate both the duration of drug action and the concentration of drug remaining at the site of activity. (0-LOQ) The pharmacokinetic profiles were found to follow a 2-compartmental model, although a deep (third) compartment was observed in some animals. The mean terminal elimination half-life (β half-life) of flunixin after a single intramuscular injection of Banamine (2.2 mg/kg) to pigs was between 3 and 4 hours. The mean observed maximum plasma concentration was 2944 ng/mL, achieved at a mean time of approximately 0.4 hours. The mean AUCwas 6431 ng*hr/mL. Following IM administration of flunixin, quantifiable drug concentration could be measured up to 18 hours post dose. The mean volume of distribution was 2003 mL/kg and the mean total clearance was 390 mL/hr/kg. The mean absolute bioavailability of flunixin following an intramuscular injection in the neck was 87%.
Species not recordedOn-label (ON_LABEL)United States1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · SPL section 34090-1 (CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY SECTION) · United States · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Standard NSAID cautions; food-animal label governs withdrawals.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 539–542 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references15
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Investigating the Effects of Flunixin Meglumine and Meloxicam on Humoral Immune Responses Against E. Coli and T. pyogenes in Postpartum Dairy Cows.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Chronic spasmodic colic management in a thoroughbred horse: A case report from Bangladesh.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Avoiding drug residues: a multivariate approach to estimating withdrawal intervals in edible tissues of goats following extra label administration of flunixin meglumine.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Efficacy of intranasal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on pain responses in castrated and tail-docked piglets.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pharmacokinetics of Flunixin and Tolfenamic Acid in Experimental Endotoxemic Awassi Sheep.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine; PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
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