The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) firocoxib had fewer side effects than phenylbutazone in horses after 42 days of treatment, according to scientists from Merial Limited who presented comparative research results at the 2010 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.

Phenylbutazone, or "Bute" as it is commonly called, is useful for controlling pain and/or inflammation in many equine veterinary cases, but its use is not without risk. Side effects such as gastric ulcer formation and kidney damage can occur.

Like phenylbutazone, firocoxib is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is approved to control pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg once daily for up to 14 days.

Bute, considered a "pioneer" NSAID, inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory molecules (called prostaglandins, produced from fatty acids) by blocking the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX, which makes the prostaglandins from the fatty acids). Unfortunately, Bute blocks some "good" prostaglandins, such as those that protect the lining of the stomach. Newer NSAIDs such as firocoxib are more selective and mostly block the production of "bad" prostaglandins; therefore, these are thought to have fewer untoward side effects