Common Medications Used for Treatment of Equine Asthma
Common Medications Used for Treatment of Equine Asthma
Drug Category | Drug and Dosage |
|---|---|
Bronchodilators | |
Beta-2 agonists | Clenbuterol: 0.8–3.2 mcg/kg, PO, q 12 h. FDA approved for equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tachyphylaxis is possible. Albuterol: 1–2 mcg/kg, inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 1–3 h. Short duration of action. |
Muscarinic antagonists | Atropine: 0.02 mg/kg, IV. Short acting, potent bronchodilator. Tachycardia and gastrointestinal adverse effects are possible. Use only as an emergency rescue treatment. Butylscopolammonium bromide (hyoscine butylbromide): 0.3 mg/kg, IV. Very short (< 30 min) duration. Fewer adverse effects than atropine. FDA-approved for equine use as an intestinal antispasmodic. Ipratropium bromide: 0.18 – 0.3 mg per horse, inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 4-8 h. Low systemic absorption allows for fewer adverse effects. |
Corticosteroids | |
Systemic | Dexamethasone: 0.04 mg/kg, IV or IM, every 24 h; 0.05 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h). For long-term treatment. Prednisolone: 1.1–2.2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h. Taper to lowest effective dose. For long-term treatment. |
Inhaled | Fluticasone: (1–6 mcg/kg, inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 12 h). Systemic absorption is possible. Beclomethasone: 1–8 mcg/kg, inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 12 h. Systemic absorption is possible. Ciclesonide: 2744 mcg (8 actuations) per horse, inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 12 h for 5 days, followed by 4116 mcg per horse (12 actuations), inhaled via an equine-specific mask, q 12 h for 5 more days. FDA-approved for severe equine asthma. |