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POM-V Prescription Required

Equipred 50 mg Tablets for Horses

Active ingredient: Prednisolone

Form

Tablet

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

CP Pharma Handelsgesellschaft mbH

VMD MA No.

20916/4026

What it's used for

Alleviation of inflammatory and clinical parameters associated with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO – severe asthma) in horses, in combination with envir...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Prednisolone

  1. 1

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

  2. 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.

Prescription required

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Clinical information

Equipred 50 mg Tablets for Horses — SPC Details

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

Alleviation of inflammatory and clinical parameters associated with recurrent airway
obstruction (RAO – severe asthma) in horses, in combination with environmental control.
For oral use.
The product should be mixed in small amount of feed.
To ensure administration of the correct dose, body weight should be determined as
accurately as
possible to avoid under- or overdosing. Tablets may be divided along score lines to
facilitate accurate dosing.
A single dose of 1 mg prednisolone/kg body weight per day corresponding to 2 tablets
per 100 kg body weight.
Treatment may be repeated at 24 hour intervals during 10 consecutive days.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance, to corticosteroids or to
any of the excipients.
Do not use in viral infections during the viraemic stage or in cases of mycotic infections.
Do not use in animals suffering from gastrointestinal ulcers.
Do not use in animals suffering from corneal ulcers.
Do not use during pregnancy (see section 4.7)
Very rarely, laminitis has been observed after use of the product. Therefore, horses
should be
monitored frequently during the treatment period.
Very rarely, neurological signs such as ataxia, recumbency, head tilting, restlessness or
incoordination have been observed after use of the product.
The significant dose related cortisol suppression very commonly noticed during therapy
is a result of effective doses suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis.
Following cessation of treatment, signs of adrenal insufficiency extending to
adrenocortical atrophy can arise and this may render the animal unable to deal
adequately with stressful situations.
The significant increase in triglycerides occurs very commonly. This may result in a
significant alteration of fat, carbohydrate, protein and mineral metabolism, e.g.
redistribution of body fat, increase in body weight, muscle weakness and wastage and
osteoporosis.
The increase of alkaline phosphatase by glucocorticoids is very rarely observed and
could be related to enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly) with increased serum
hepatic enzymes.
Gastrointestinal ulceration has been very rarely reported and gastrointestinal ulceration
may be exacerbated by steroids in animals given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Issued: November 2019
AN: 01143/2018
Other gastrointestinal symptoms that have been very rarely observed are colic and
anorexia.
Excessive sweating has been very rarely observed. Very rarely urticaria has been
observed.
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).
Corticoid administration is to induce an improvement in clinical signs rather than a cure.
The treatment should be combined with environmental control.
Each case should be assessed individually by the veterinarian and an appropriate
treatment program determined. Treatment with prednisolone should only be initiated
when satisfactory alleviation of clinical symptoms have not been obtained or are unlikely
to be obtained by environmental control alone.

Issued: November 2019
AN: 01143/2018
Treatment with prednisolone may not sufficiently restore respiratory function in all cases,
and in each individual case the use of medication with more rapid onset of action may
need to be considered.

Special precautions for use in animals
Except in emergency situations, do not use in animals suffering from diabetes mellitus,
renal insufficiency, cardiac insufficiency, hyperadrenocorticism, or osteoporosis.
Whilst single high doses are generally well tolerated, they may induce severe side-
effects in long term use. Dosage in medium to long term use should therefore generally
be kept to the minimum necessary to control symptoms.
Because of the pharmacological properties of prednisolone, special care should be
taken when the
veterinary medicinal product is used in animals with a weakened immune system.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to the animals
This product may cause allergic reactions. People with known hypersensitivity to
prednisolone or other corticosteroids, or any of the excipients should avoid contact with
the veterinary medicinal product.
This product may be irritating to the eyes. Avoid hand-to-eye contact. In case of contact
with the eyes, rinse with plenty of water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
This product may cause adverse effects after ingestion. Avoid hand-to-mouth contact.
Do not eat or drink when handling the product. Unused tablet parts should be placed
back into the blister and carton and carefully kept away from children. Store in a closed
cabinet. In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician. Wash hands after handling the tablets.
Corticosteroids can cause foetal malformation; therefore, it is recommended that
pregnant women avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
The concomitant use of this veterinary medicinal product with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs may exacerbate gastrointestinal tract ulceration. Because
corticosteroids can reduce the immune response to vaccination, prednisolone should not
be used in combination with vaccines or within two weeks after vaccination.
Administration of prednisolone may induce hypokalaemia and hence increase the risk of
toxicity from cardiac glycosides. The risk of hypokalaemia may be increased if
prednisolone is administered together with potassium depleting diuretics.
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage
conditions.
Return any divided tablet to the opened blister.
Meat and offal: 10 days.

Issued: November 2019
AN: 01143/2018
Not authorised for use in mares producing milk for human consumption.
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.

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