POM-V Prescription Required

Butazocare Flavour 1g Granules in Sachet for Horses and Ponies

Active ingredient: Phenylbutazone

Form

Powder

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Ecuphar NV

VMD MA No.

32742/4026

What it's used for

For the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in horses and ponies where the anti- inflammatory and analgesic properties of phenylbutazone can offer relie...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Phenylbutazone

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Butazocare Flavour 1g Granules in Sachet for Horses and Ponies — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

For the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in horses and ponies where the anti-
inflammatory and analgesic properties of phenylbutazone can offer relief. Examples
of conditions normally considered suitable for treatment with phenylbutazone include
lameness associated with osteoarthritic conditions, acute and chronic laminitis,
bursitis and carpitis, and in the reduction of post-surgical soft tissue reaction.

For oral administration.
The dosage should be adjusted according to the individual animal’s response, but the
following may be taken as a guide:
Horses
twice on day 1 of treatment (equivalent to 8.8 mg/kg/day) followed by the contents of
one sachet twice daily for four days (4.4 mg/kg/day), then one sachet daily, or on
alternate days, sufficient to keep the horse comfortable (2.2 mg/kg/day).
Ponies 225 kg (500 lb) body weight, one sachet (4.4 mg/kg) on alternate days.
Discontinue treatment if no response is evident after four to five days treatment.
For ease of administration mix the powder with a small quantity of feed.

Revised: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022

Do not use in animals suffering from cardiac, hepatic or renal disease; where there is
the possibility of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding; or where there is evidence of
a blood dyscrasia.
Do not use in animals suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
Do not use in animals with haemorrhagic diathesis.
Do not use in cases of known hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.

In common with other NSAIDs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, there may be
gastric and/or renal intolerance. This is usually associated with overdosage and such
events are rare. Recovery is usual on cessation of treatment and following the
initiation of supportive symptomatic therapy (see 4.10 for further information).
If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a
veterinarian should be sought.
- inappetence
- apathy
- colic
- weight loss
- diarrhoea
- gastrointestinal bleeding

Revised: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022
- intestinal protein loss which can result in hypoproteinemia
- sodium and potassium loss which can result in oedema
- thrombocytopenia
- leucopenia
- hematopoietic dysfunction
- anemia
- increased aminotransferase levels
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

The clinical effect of phenylbutazone can be evident for at least three days following
cessation of administration. This should be borne in mind when examining horses for
soundness.

Revised: August 2022
AN: 01024/2022

Special precautions for use in animals
Use in any animal under six weeks of age, or in aged animals, may involve additional
risks. If such use cannot be avoided, animals may require a reduced dosage and
special clinical management.
Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal as there is a risk
of increased toxicity.
It is preferable that NSAIDs which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis are not
administered to animals undergoing general anaesthesia until fully recovered.
Response to long-term therapy should be monitored at regular intervals by a
veterinary practitioner.
NSAIDs can cause inhibition of phagocytosis and hence in the treatment of
inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial infections, appropriate concurrent
antimicrobial therapy should be instigated.
The therapeutic index of phenylbutazone is low. Do not exceed the stated dose or
the duration of treatment.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
•
phenylbutazone, either via skin contact or accidental inhalation.
•
this product.
•
medical advice and show the doctor this warning. Swelling of the face, lips or
eyes, or difficulty breathing, are more serious symptoms and require urgent
medical attention.
•
eyes. In case of accidental eye contact, irrigate eyes with plenty of clean water.
If irritation persists seek medical advice. Wash any exposed skin and hands after
use.
•
ingestion, seek medical advice and show the product packaging to the physician.

Phenylbutazone may be highly bound to plasma proteins and compete with other
highly bound drugs (e.g. sulfonamides) to produce an increase in non-bound
pharmacologically active concentrations which can lead to toxic effects.
Phenylbutazone induces enzymatic activity and thus affect plasma levels and
efficacy of other drugs.
Due to inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis, efficacy of diuretics are reduced.
Elimination of penicillin is reduced.
Adverse reactions caused by phenylbutazone are exacerbated by concurrent
administration of glucocorticoids, other non-steroidal antiphlogistics, or
anticoagulants.
Do not administer with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
concurrently or within 24 hours of each other.

This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption.
The horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under
national horse passport legislation.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.