POM-V Prescription Required

Equipalazone 1 g Oral Powder for Horses and Ponies

Active ingredient: Phenylbutazone

Form

Powder

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Dechra Regulatory B.V.

VMD MA No.

50406/5024

What it's used for

of conditions normally considered suitable for treatment with phenylbutazone include lameness associated with osteoarthritic conditions, acute and chronic...

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 Powder for Horses and Ponies — SPC Details

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

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.

shown to be palatable to horses.
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.
Dampening of the veterinary medicinal product in feed 5 minutes prior to feeding has
been shown to have no detrimental influence on the palatability of the veterinary
medicinal product. However, the influence of prolonged dampening on palatability or
stability of the veterinary medicinal product is not known.

Do not administer with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
concurrently or within 24 hours of each other.
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 cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.

Horses and ponies (non-food producing):
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000
animals treated):
Gastric intolerance*
Renal disorder*
* In common with other NSAIDs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, there may be
gastric and/or renal intolerance. This is usually associated with overdosage.
Recovery is usual on cessation of treatment and following the initiation of supportive
symptomatic therapy (see 3.10 for further information).
If adverse reactions occur, treatment should be discontinued and the advice of a
veterinarian should be sought.
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 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:
The therapeutic index of phenylbutazone is low. Do not exceed the stated dose or the
duration of treatment.
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.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
The veterinary medicinal product may cause hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions in
those sensitized to phenylbutazone, either via skin contact or accidental inhalation.
People with known hypersensitivity to phenylbutazone, or any of the excipients,
should avoid contact with this veterinary medicinal product.
If you develop symptoms following exposure, such as skin rash, you should seek
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.
This veterinary medicinal product can be irritating to the skin and eyes. Avoid contact
with the eyes. In case of accidental eye contact, rinse eyes with plenty of water. If
irritation persists seek medical advice. Wash any exposed skin and hands after use.
Care should be taken to avoid ingesting the powder. In the event of accidental
ingestion, seek medical advice and show the veterinary medicinal product packaging
to the physician.
The safety of phenylbutazone in pregnancy has not been established. The veterinary
medicinal product should not be administered by pregnant women or women
attempting to conceive.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Some NSAIDs 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.
Adverse reactions caused by phenylbutazone are exacerbated by concurrent
administration of glucocorticoids, other non-steroidal antiphlogistics, or
anticoagulants.
Gastrointestinal tract ulceration may be exacerbated by corticosteroids in animals
given NSAIDs.

Do not store above 25 °C.
Store in a dry place.

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.

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.