Re: [RC] [Endurance Riding: News] USEF Approves New Drug for Horses - Barbara McCrary
When will this medication be out for humans? I
remember many years ago asking my physician about hyolauranic acid (I know this
isn't spelled right) for joints and he had never heard of it. Now it is
being injected into bad knees, allowing the patient to offset knee surgery in
some cases.
When the FDA took Bextra and Vioxx off the market, it
was a sad day for people with painful arthritic conditions. There isn't
much on the market now that does any good.
This
new NSAID is the first cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) sparing drug to be approved by
the FDA for use in horses. The drug specifically targets cyclooxygenase-2
(COX-2), an enzyme responsible for causing inflammation and pain in the body,
and spares COX-1, which is associated with many beneficial functions,
including production of the protective mucous lining of the
stomach.
Firocoxib is restricted to use outside competition until the
rule allowing its use takes effect August 1, 2007.
