--- In EquineCushings@..., Megan Gaynes <meganegaynes@...> wrote:

Ironically, I'm looking for a vet that will prescribe me Previcox.

Megan,

When I had to use an NSAID, I used the equine formulation of firocoxib--Equioxx.

If you can't get a script for it, could you simply buy it from a vet? It is pricier but if it is for a laminitic horse it is likely you won't need it long. Once I got my diet and trim in order I no longer needed it, so the cost difference didn't matter much.

Lisa in TX
Pookey Bear
June 2010

On Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 11:29 AM, lonestarquarterh <
mostlyaggies@...> wrote:

**


When I had to use an NSAID, I used the equine formulation of
firocoxib--Equioxx.

If you can't get a script for it, could you simply buy it from a vet? It
is pricier but if it is for a laminitic horse it is likely you won't need
it long. Once I got my diet and trim in order I no longer needed it, so the
cost difference didn't matter much.

I was told Previcox is the dog version of Equioxx? My vet will not

prescribe anything other than Equioxx, which is $10 a day. I can't do that
for my elderly pasture puff. My young one is insured, so she just did a
dose of Equioxx..but insurance paid for that.

Is it possible to get a generic equine formulation of Equioxx?? I was told
by my trainer that because of the issues with the dosage for dog vs
equines, our vet refuses to prescribe it due to the dangers of overdose.
So, Equioxx only.

Her issue is her debilitatingly severe ringbone and sidebone, so she needs
to live on this NSAID. The laminitis and founder has long since been
treated.

Thank you!
Megan
Los Angeles, CA
Brandy (PPID) and May

I attended a clinic for geriatric equines and the following was also discussed. The vet said that when he realized that Equioxx was essentially re-compounded Previcox (Firocoxib)labeled for equines
and eight to ten times the price. $300/mo is just not financially doable for many.
Previcox and Equioxx are the same thing... Firocoxib.
Previcox is labeled for dogs and comes in two sizes...
227 mg and 57 mg.
The horse and dog metabolisms are very different and a dog will get a much higher dose/weight than a horse.
My vet prescribed the 57 mg Previcox
If only the 227 mg pills are available, they can be divided by 1/4.... almost exactly the same dose.
Depending on how you do it, based on the 1800petmeds pricing, you can get that price down to $22.50-50/month as opposed to your Vet's price of $300/month.
The "danger of overdose" is present with all meds.
My understanding that Equioxx did the same thing with the Firocoxib, by labeling it for horses as Prascend by labeling Pergolide for Horses. I think Firocoxib is not available in generic, no brand name form. It would be nice if it was available through a compounding pharmacy.

Michael~
aka Mike & Spike
San Jose, Ca
Oct, '10

My understanding that Equioxx did the same thing with the Firocoxib, by labeling it for horses as Prascend by labeling Pergolide for Horses. I think Firocoxib is not available in generic, no brand name form. It would be nice if it was available through a compounding pharmacy.

A bit of a Catch 22 with this. Using the firocoxib for a horse is off label. It is not illegal per se, and is used by many. If there is a complication from it in the horse, its use would be considered *not meeting standards* which a health care practitioner of any kind does not want to flirt with.

So a vet has the right to be wary and stand her/his ground. When my vet brought up possibly using the dog version (she is very conscious of money problems, especially in the area I live in), I questioned her (I was actually surprised) about using it off label. We discussed it and both agreed to try it, knowing there are some *sticky* points about it.

The AVMA is adamant it can't be used, but what they don't know...

Linda
EC Primary Response
West Coast
May 2004

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Skylane" <skylane@...> wrote:

Previcox and Equioxx are the same thing... Firocoxib.

Michael,

This may be OT but I know a lot of us need an occasional NSAID for some reason.

Previcox and Equioxx are not the same thing. The active ingredient is the same--firocoxib--but the Equioxx is in a paste formulation, and the Previcox is a tablet. That makes them different.

And while that difference is immaterial for many of our four-footed friends, it makes a difference in some. An 'internet friend' recently switched her horse from Equioxx to Previcox to save money, and wound up with severe oral ulcers from just two doses (quartered 227 mg tab for an 1100-pound horse) She has since switched back to the paste and has had no further problems.

I understand the desire to save money! I hope someone has a great suggestion for the OP for pain relief for ringbone in a Cushings/IR horse.

Mods: does this need to be on EC Horsekeeping?

Lisa in TX
Pookey Bear
June 2010