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When you give a loading dose of Equioxx...

Horse Care
#1

When you give a loading dose of equioxx to bring the horses therapeutic levels of the drug up quicker, and you keep giving the 57mg pill daily long term thereafter,

does the level of the drug in the horse’s bloodstream stay at the loading dose level ( analogy like adding water to a slow leaking pot, ylu stadt adding as much watsr as your losing so it still stays the same level)? Or does it slowly go down to the therapeutic dose level? ( analogy: adding water but at a slower rate of the initial leak until you reach maintence level)

not sure If I asked my question well!

the reason I am asking is because I may have missed a dose of equioxx for my horse ( usually given in pm) so I gave him a equioxx this Afternoon.

now I am thinking I either have under the therapeutic dose in his system or have a bit over the therapeutic level in his sysyem.

just wondering if it will return to therapeutic maintenance level.

#2

There is no “loading dose” You give one pill a day and within a week you should see a difference. My boy has been on it for 8 years - he now gets one every other day. It stays in their system. It takes about a week or so to get the meds out of their system. If you forget a day just give it the next day - not a big deal.

#3

Agree with Magics Mom, there is no loading dose. I have had a mare on it for about five years. She’s OK without it, but better with it, so I just keep her on it.

#4

Actually some vets recommend giving 3x the normal dose on day 1 to get the horse up to therapeutic levels in the blood quicker which is what I was recommended.

3 Likes
#5

Yes there is a loading dose. Both of the lameness vets I use instruct to do a loading dose. One is a regional specialist.

You give three 57 tabs on the first day, and then one 57 tab each day after. It is best if you can give it at about the same time of day each time, if possible. In my experience with my horse, it seems like I really start to notice a difference after a week. (when starting it)

OP, how long have you had your horse on Equioxx? If they’ve been on it awhile, I would not worry too much about missing one day here and there.

2 Likes
#6

Thanks, Beau. What if I accidentally double up the dose ? say if I give 114mg instead of the regular 57mg that day ( because I forgot I gave him one already)

Will he have an elevated dose of the drug in his system/plasma until I miss a dose again?

or does the systemic level of the drug slowly return to normal levels as you give the regular 57mg for the remainder of the days ( unless I forget and double again)

I don’t want to tax his kidneys or liver as he is an older guy.

#7

There’s definitely a loading dose IF the purpose is to get the systemic concentration up as quickly as safely possible.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296032788_FIROCOXIB_LOADING_DOSE_TRIAL_IN_HORSES

The administration of the single LD allowed achievement of the average steady state drug concentrations faster than a multi-dose regimen without a loading dose. After the LD, firocoxib at 0.1mg/kg every 24h was able to maintain a relatively constant average drug concentration which should produce less variability in onset of action and efficacy.

I would not worry about missing a dose.

#8

Missing a dose is usually NBd . Fact many are on every other day dosing with great results. My retiree is just twice a week. IME, you see results PDQ, often within 2 or 3 days.

#9

If he can handle the loading dose fine, he should be fine if you accidentally give it to him twice in one day … but I’m a bit unsure how one would go about that? :confused: It’s one thing to forget to give it to them entirely, or if you can’t make it out to the barn that particular day, but I’m not so sure about forgetting that you already gave it to him and then do it again. :confused:

#10

I mean really, just ask your vet these questions. I can text my vet any question I have and he will respond promptly.

#11

Easily, I work on auto pilot most of the time when I make a habit of something. I recently gave my horse a bit of a break from equioxx tablets to avoid medication tolerance.

Also when I started him back up, I switched from giving it in the AM to giving it in the PM.

This alone has messed with my rituals.

I also just grab a handful of grain with the pill and he eats it out of my hand, The little time it takes compared with all the other things I do at the barn, it is like a drop in a ocean.

also personal matters causing undue amounts of mental stress lately wreaks havoc on memory.

…

#12

Had a call into my vet’s office, he is out of town.

I will ask him my question. About the elevated levels after a loading dose or doubling a missed dose and how long they take to even out.

#13

I have my vets cell number, so I never have to deal with having to call the office.

#14

So the real question is, what is the half life of Previcox? It is 30 hours, give or take 7 hours so skipping a dose is no big whoop. Many horses are on every other day dosing because of the longer half like although at the 48 hour mark, there is not a lot in the system but maybe 25% or so.

#15

Personally I think a loading dose would increase the risk of ulcers. Unless the horse is in a great deal of pain I would stick to the regular dose once daily.

#16

It might, but it IS what I’d do if you’re looking to figure out of an NSAID helps with a lameness issue as part of a diagnostic test - get to that hopeful answer as soon as possible. As well, the ulcer risk is much lower with firocoxib than with bute.

It’s not something I’d bother with if I was putting a horse on it long-term for a known issue.

#17

How nice- some people do not have that luxury. One shouldn’t assume that it’s just that easy for everyone. Please excuse if this sounds snippy, but like the OP, I too have been under a lot of stress lately and crap happens. I get it. FWIW, I just started my mare on equioxx a week ago and there IS indeed a loading dose. Good luck to you and your horse.

3 Likes
#18

I agree, I’m always amazed at vets who give clients their phone number to “text and I’ll respond promptly”. Many vets won’t do that, and I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t either. I do have my vet’s number, but she very, very rarely gives that out, and it’s only for special situations to people she knows won’t abuse it. She has excellent office staff during the M-F work hours, and an excellent answering service other times, to filter calls.

Yes, she still takes questions like this, but it might be a couple days (ie it’s not a priority) to get back to you.

1 Like
#19

I’ve been giving my oldie a whole pill and just a half on alternate days. Good to know that I may be able to just give it alternate days. I’ll give it a shot and see what happens.

#20

Absolutely there is a loading dose for the first day or two, then down to usually half that for “long term maintenance” lower dose on alternate days may be enough to keep blood levels steady, but I would not go on one day off the next back on again

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