POM-V Prescription Required

Equipalazone 1 g Oral Paste

Active ingredient: Phenylbutazone

Form

Paste

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Dechra Regulatory B.V.

VMD MA No.

50406/5035

What it's used for

osteoarthritic conditions, bursitis, laminitis and soft tissue inflammation, particularly where continued mobility is considered desirable. Alleviation of...

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

Equipalazone 1 g Oral Paste — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

osteoarthritic conditions, bursitis, laminitis and soft tissue inflammation, particularly where
continued mobility is considered desirable.
Alleviation of post surgical inflammation, myositis and other soft tissue inflammation.
The veterinary medicinal product can be used as an anti-pyretic where this is considered
advisable e.g. in viral respiratory infections.
AN: 02236/2024 & 02238/2024

Each marked division (2 turns of the ring) is equivalent to one unit dose (i.e. 1 g
phenylbutazone).
Horses
1 unit dose twice daily for four days (i.e. 4.4 mg/kg/day), followed by 1 unit dose daily
or on alternate days (i.e. 2.2 mg/kg/day), sufficient to keep the horse comfortable.
Ponies 225 kg (500 lb): 1 unit dose (i.e. 4.4 mg/kg) on alternate days.
Remove cap from nozzle. Turn ring to required dosage. Express dose as near to
the back of the tongue as possible. Replace cap after use. Store in a cool place.
Discontinue treatment if no response is evident after four to five days.
Avoid the introduction of contamination during use.

Do not use in animals suffering from cardiac, hepatic or renal disease, where
there is the possibility of gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, and where there
is evidence of a blood dyscrasia.
Do not administer other NSAIDs concurrently or within 24 hours of each other.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.

Horses and ponies (non-food producing):
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause inhibition of phagocytosis and
hence in the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with bacterial
infections, appropriate concurrent antimicrobial therapy should be instigated.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a
veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local
representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting
system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

The therapeutic index of phenylbutazone is low. Do not exceed the stated dose
or duration of treatment.
Discontinue treatment if no response is evident after four to five days treatment.
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.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
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.
Dosage should be discontinued in animals developing gastro-intestinal or
vascular disorders, oral ulceration or inappetance during treatment.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals
The veterinary medicinal product should be handled with care at all times to
reduce the risk of accidental ingestion or skin contact. If accidental skin or eye
contact occurs, the site should be washed immediately with water. In case of
accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package
leaflet or the label to the physician.
Advice to doctors: gastric lavage (emesis in children) should be performed
urgently. Charcoal haemoperfusion has also been shown to be beneficial.
Treatment should then be administered symptomatically.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.
Other precautions:
Some authorities (including the Jockey Club) regard phenylbutazone as a
“prohibited substance” under the rules of competition. Therefore, use of this
product in a competition horse should be in accordance with the
recommendations/advice of the relevant competition authorities.

interaction
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents may be highly bound to plasma
proteins and compete with other highly bound drugs to produce an increase in
non-bound pharmacologically active concentrations which can lead to toxic
effects.
Concurrent administration of potential nephrotoxic drugs (e.g. aminoglycoside
antibiotics) should be avoided.
It is preferable that NSAIDs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, are not
administered to animals undergoing general anaesthesia until fully recovered.
Gastrointestinal tract ulceration may be exacerbated by corticosteroids in animals
given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Do not store above 25 °C.
Replace cap after use.

Not authorised for use 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.
4.

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.