The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has now included the Non Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Metacam (meloxicam), a Boehringer Ingelheim medicine for the relief of pain and inflammation, on its “List of Detection Times.” Plasma and urine detection times of 72 hours have been announced.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health fully supports this move of the international governing body of horse sports to add a modern NSAID with proven safety and efficacy which is part of the FEI Clean Sports campaign. Thus, the FEI provides guidance to veterinarians and horse owners on how and when to use this medicine, but still be in compliance with the FEI anti-doping rules at the time of competition.

Metacam, a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, is used for the relief of inflammation and for the relief of pain associated with musculo-skeletal disorders or colic.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health supports the FEI Clean Sports campaign. The objective of both animal welfare and the concept of fair play in equestrian sport is an important issue to be considered for competition horses. It is important to underline that only healthy and sound horses are allowed to compete under FEI rules.

Metacam is the first preferential COX-2 inhibitor that has been adopted onto the FEI “List of Detection Times.” The active ingredient of Metacam is meloxicam, a COX-2 preferential NSAID of the oxicam class which acts by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-exudative and antipyretic effects.

The detection time is the time taken for an active substance administered to a horse by a specified route and dosage to fall below a level that FEI-approved laboratories would declare a sample positive.

It is important to note that detection times may vary depending on dose and number of injection sites used.

A detection time is not the same as a withdrawal time. The withdrawal time must be decided by the treating veterinarian and is likely to be based on the detection time and an appropriate safety margin to allow for individual variation.

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