POM-V Prescription Required

Equipalazone Original 1 g Oral Powder

Active ingredient: Phenylbutazone

Form

Powder

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Dechra Regulatory B.V.

VMD MA No.

50406/5043

What it's used for

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

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 Original 1 g Oral Powder — SPC Details

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

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 450 kg (1000 lb) body weight: the contents of two sachets to be administered
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
AN: 00211/2025Page 4 of 6
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.
AN: 00211/2025Page 2 of 6

Horses and ponies (non-food producing):
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Gastric intolerance*
Renal disorder*
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* 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.
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.
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, skin contact or dust inhalation. If accidental skin or eye contact
occurs, the site should be washed immediately with water. If the product is ingested, seek
medical advice and show the product packaging.
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.

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.
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.