Breathing problems after Flunixin Meglumine in horses

The FDA has received 41 reports of breathing problems in horses after Flunixin Meglumine. That is 6.6% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 3.4% across reports for all horse medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

41Reports
54%Marked serious
22%Recovered
34%Died or euthanised
Same dayTypical onset
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How soon it started

Same day
14 88%
1–2 days
1 6.3%
3–7 days
0 0.0%
1–4 weeks
1 6.3%
Over a month
0 0.0%

How the animals did

Recovered
8 20%
Recovered with lasting effects
1 2.4%
Still unwell when reported
3 7.3%
Died
9 22%
Euthanised
5 12%
Not known
15 37%

Problems reported at the same time

14 34%
9 22%
Increased sweating
5 12%
Lying down
5 12%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year
2
1–3 years
2
4–7 years
11
8–11 years
6
12+ years
14

About this medicine

Type: medicine.

Questions owners ask

Can Flunixin Meglumine cause breathing problems in horses?
41 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?
In half of the reports with dates, it started within the same day of the first dose.
What should I do?
Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Breathing problems with similar medicines

All reported side effects of Flunixin Meglumine in horses · Medicines most reported with breathing problems