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Guidelines for Using Zimeta in Competitive Horses Announced by USEF and AQHA
Policy affects competing members use of the first and only FDA-approved product for control of fever in horses
In November 2019, Zimeta was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine for the control of pyrexia (fever) in horses. Recently, both the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) updated their policies to provide competing members with guidelines for the use of Zimeta.
For both organizations, use of Zimeta will require a properly filed medication report form documenting a 24-hour withdrawal. Additionally, administration of Zimeta will not constitute the use of a second non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is prohibited by USEF and AQHA rules, respectively.1,2
Watch this video to hear Kent Allen, DVM, owner of Virginia Equine Imaging, USEF Veterinary Committee Chairman, and FEI Delegate, for more information about using dipyrone.
Fever is a clinical sign commonly associated with various underlying infectious and non-infectious diseases in the horse, explains Daniel Dreyfuss, DVM, MA, veterinary science liaison at Kindred Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIN).
“For equine athletes, fever is an important sign. Fever is a horse’s response to infectious or inflammatory processes. It is important that potentially infectious horses either not travel to the competition or follow appropriate biosecurity protocols if at the competition venue,” Dreyfuss says. “Following the USEF and AQHA
policies gives owners and veterinarians flexibility to use the only NSAID that is FDA-approved to control fever in horses.”
KindredBio is working with the USEF, AQHA, and other equine organizations, to provide the necessary information to determine adequate withdrawal times for Zimeta. This is the first time dipyrone has been FDA approved for veterinary use in the United States. Dipyrone, also known as metamizole, is approved and widely used in many other countries. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has established the detection time for dipyrone at 72 hours, which is the shortest established time among NSAIDs approved in the United States.3
For additional questions about the USEF and AQHA policies, please contact the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Program at 1-800-633-2472 or visit aqha.com. For questions about Zimeta, contact KindredBio Customer Care at 1-888-608-2542.
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Zimeta is indicated for the control of pyrexia in horses
Important Safety Information:
As with all drugs, side effects may occur. Zimeta®(dipyrone injection) should not be given more frequently than every 12 hours due to the prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) and associated clinical signs of coagulopathy. For use in horses only. Do not use in horses with a hypersensitivity to dipyrone, horses intended for human consumption or any food producing animals, including lactating dairy animals. Not for use in humans, avoid direct contact with skin and keep out of reach of children. Care should be taken to avoid accidental self-injection and routine precautions should be used when handling and using loaded syringes as dipyrone can cause a deficiency in specific white blood cells in humans. Prior to use, horses should undergo a thorough history and physical examination by a veterinarian. Monitor for signs of abnormal bleeding and use caution in horses at risk for hemorrhage. Concurrent use with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids and drugs associated with kidney toxicity, should be avoided. Safety has not been evaluated in horses less than three years of age, horses used for breeding, or in pregnant or lactating mares. As a class, NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal, kidney, and liver toxicity. The most common adverse reactions observed during clinical trials were elevated glucose conversion enzymes, decreased blood protein, gastric ulcers, inflamed or reddened lining of the right dorsal colon, and increased clotting times. Please see product insert for full prescribing information or visit www.dechra-us.com.
References
- United States Equestrian Federation. US Equestrian Announces Requirements for Use of FDA-Approved Zimeta™ (Dipyrone Injection). Dec. 31, 2019. Available at: https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-requirements-for-use-of. [Access Date: Jan. 28, 2020].
- American Quarter Horse Association. Zimeta Approved by AQHA as a Therapeutic Medication. January 28, 2020. Available at: https://www.aqha.com/-/zimeta-approved-by-aqha-as-a-therapeutic-medication. [Access Date: Jan. 28, 2020].
- Fédération Equestre Internationale. FEI List of Detection Times. July 13, 2018. Available from: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/FEI%20Detection%20Times%202018_0.pdf. [Access Date: Jan. 28, 2020].
Zimeta® is a registered trademark of Kindred Biosciences, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
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