Phenylbutazone
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Phenylbutazone during a consultation by Dr Noor in Perth. For mobile vet Perth support, this page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Phenylbutazone during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Phenylbutazone (Horses) – Phenylbutazone Perth
(fen-ill-byoo-ta-zone)
Description:
This medicine is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug. This means it is used to reduce pain and swelling.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Butazolidin®
- “Bute”
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- Oral tablets: 1 gram;
- Oral powder: 1 gram mixed into 10 grams of powder;
- Oral paste in syringes: syringes that contain 6 grams per syringe or 12 grams per syringe;
- Injection (a shot): 200 mg in each mL.
- For people:
- None.
Key Information
- If phenylbutazone is given by mouth, give it with food.
- If phenylbutazone is given as a shot, it must be given only into a vein (an IV injection).
- Do not give this medicine at the same time as other NSAID pain/inflammation medicines (for example, flunixin, firocoxib, or aspirin).
- Possible side effects include sores in the mouth and/or stomach, harm to the kidneys, reduced appetite, and swelling of the legs (fluid build-up).
How is this medication useful?
Phenylbutazone is a type of pain and swelling medicine used in horses to help with pain and inflammation.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine reactions or side effects your animal has had, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should usually see your animal feel better within 1 to 2 hours after a dose. After that, the signs you are seeing should start to improve.
This medicine has effects that last a moderate amount of time. This can mean the effects may continue for a few days. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
This medicine MUST NOT be used in horses:
- That have an allergy to it.
- That will be used as food for people.
This medicine should be used CAREFULLY in:
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- Horses that have stomach sores now or had them in the past.
- Horses that have anemia (low red blood cells) or problems with bleeding.
- Before soundness exams. Phenylbutazone can cover up signs of limping. Using it before these exams is not ethical.
- Foals or ponies, because they may have a higher chance of getting sores in the mouth and stomach or other unwanted effects.
- Horses with kidney problems.
- Horses that are pregnant or nursing.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Most horses handle phenylbutazone well, but side effects have been reported. In rare cases, very serious side effects can happen without warning and, in some cases, have caused death.
Side effects that may be serious or may point to a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian right away.
- Sores, scabs, redness, or rubbing on the face, especially near the mouth.
- Sores or open areas on the tongue or inside the mouth.
- Changes in eating or drinking (more or less than usual).
- Changes in urination (how often, the smell, or the color).
- Yellow color of the gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes.
- Swelling of the legs.
- Weight loss that you cannot explain.
- Changes in behavior or energy level (more or less active than normal).
- Belly pain (colic) or diarrhea.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work properly, give it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. It is also smart to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- When phenylbutazone is given by mouth, it works best when given with some food. This helps lower the chance of stomach upset and sores in the mouth or stomach.
- Phenylbutazone given as an injection must be given only into a vein (IV). This is usually done by your veterinarian. It must never be injected under the skin or into a muscle, because it can cause severe pain and serious damage to the tissue. If it is accidentally injected into an artery, seizures can happen.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure the dose with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas on how to give doses and make medication time less stressful.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your animal to keep taking it. You may need prescription refills before treatment is finished. Before you stop giving this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep oral forms of phenylbutazone in the original prescription container, at room temperature, and away from light.
- The injectable liquid form should be kept in the refrigerator and protected from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date that come with that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special safety steps are needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is less appealing to children and animals and not easy to recognize. Put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it will not leak, and then place it in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else to use.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Do not combine phenylbutazone injection liquid with other medicines in the same syringe.
- Make sure your animal always has access to fresh water while taking this medicine. If your animal does not drink enough water, this medicine can seriously affect the kidneys.
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- Phenylbutazone can change the results of lab tests. Tell your veterinarian that your animal is taking phenylbutazone before any of these tests are done.
- If you have any other questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”