Active Ingredients: Each milliliter of Vetameg® 50 mg/mL contains 50 mg flunixin (equivalent to 83 mg flunixin meglumine), 0.1 mg edetate disodium, 2.5 mg sodium formaldehyde sulphoxylate, 4.0 mg diethanolamine, 207.2 mg propylene glycol, 5.0 mg phenol as preservative, hydrochloric acid, water for injection q.s.
Storage: Store between 2° and 30°C (36° and 86°F). Use within 60 days of first puncture. When using a draw-off spike or needle with a bore diameter larger than 16-gauge, discard any product remaining in the vial immediately after use.
Vetameg® 50 mg/mL Injection is indicated for use in horses for the alleviation of inflammation and pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. It is also indicated for the alleviation of visceral pain associated with colic in the horse.
In cattle, Vetameg® 50 mg/mL Injection is indicated for the control of pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease, endotoxemia, and acute bovine mastitis. It is also indicated for the control of inflammation associated with endotoxemia.
Contraindications
Horse: There are no known contra-indications to this drug when used as directed. Intra-arterial injection should be avoided. Horses inadvertently injected intra-arterially can show adverse reactions. Signs can be ataxia, incoordination, hyperventilation, hysteria and muscle weakness. Signs are transient and disappear without antidotal medication within a few minutes. Do not use in horses showing hypersensitivity to flunixin meglumine.
Cattle: NSAIDs inhibit production of prostaglandins which are important in signaling the initiation of parturition. The use of flunixin can delay parturition and prolong labor which may increase the risk of stillbirth. Do not use Vetameg® 50 mg/mL (flunixin meglumine injection) within 48 hours of expected parturition. Do not use in animals showing hypersensitivity to flunixin meglumine. Use judiciously when renal impairment or gastric ulceration are suspected.
RESIDUE WARNINGS:
Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 4 days of the last treatment. Milk that has been taken during treatment and for 36 hours after the last treatment must not be used for food. Not for use in dry dairy cows. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Not for use in horses intended for food. Approved only for intravenous administration. Intramuscular administration has resulted in violative residues in the edible tissues of cattle sent to slaughter.
Precautions
As a class, cyclo-oxygenase inhibitory NSAIDs may be associated with gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug-associated adverse effects varies with the individual patient. Patients at greatest risk for renal toxicity are those that are dehydrated, on concomitant diuretic therapy, or those with renal, cardiovascular, and/or hepatic dysfunction.
Since many NSAIDs possess the potential to induce gastrointestinal ulceration, concomitant use of Vetameg® 50 mg/mL (flunixin meglumine injection) with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as other NSAIDs and corticosteroids, should be avoided or closely monitored.
Horse: The effect of flunixin meglumine injection on pregnancy has not been determined. Studies to determine activity of flunixin meglumine injection when administered concomitantly with other drugs have not been conducted. Drug compatibility should be monitored closely in patients requiring adjunctive therapy.
Cattle: Do not use in bulls intended for breeding, as reproductive effects of flunixin meglumine injection in these classes of cattle have not been investigated. NSAIDs are known to have potential effects on both parturition (See Contraindications) and the estrous cycle. There may be a delay in the onset of estrus if flunixin is administered during the prostaglandin phase of the estrous cycle. NSAIDs are known to have the potential to delay parturition through a tocolytic effect. The use of NSAIDs in the immediate post-partum period may interfere with uterine involution and expulsion of fetal membranes. Cows should be monitored carefully for placental retention and metritis if Vetameg® 50 mg/mL Injection is used within 24 hours after parturition.
In horses, isolated reports of local reactions following intramuscular injection, particularly in the neck, have been received. These include localized swelling, sweating, induration, and stiffness. In rare instances in horses, fatal or nonfatal clostridial infections or other infections have been reported in association with intramuscular use of flunixin meglumine injection. In horses and cattle, rare instances of anaphylactic-like reactions, some of which have been fatal, have been reported, primarily following intravenous use.
Disposal of Unused Prescription Medications
- Return unwanted or unused medications to Revival Animal Health in person, or visit www.disposemymeds.org to find a pharmacy near you.
- A secondary method of drug disposal is to remove the unwanted medication from any wrappers or containers and place it in a plastic bag with moist coffee grounds or cat litter. This can be disposed of in the regular garbage collection.
- Please do NOT dispose of unwanted meds down the drain or toilet, as this may eventually find its way into the human water supply.
Learn more about disposal of unused prescription medications
here.
Disposal of Medical Sharps
- When you're finished with the syringe and needle, do not try to recap, remove, bend or break the needle. This is where most injuries occur.
- Dispose the syringe and needle immediately in a nearby sharps container. All sharps must be deposited in a puncture-proof container. Make sure your storage location is child and animal proof.
- As with all product handling, make sure you wash your hands after handling medical sharps.
Disposal of Sharps Container
- When your sharps container is half-full, sift dry Portland Cement throughout the sharps. Fill the container with water, and rotate until the cement is mixed and the sharps have been distributed throughout the cement mixture. Let cement dry for 24 hours.
- Seal the lid of the container tightly and use duct tape to seal. Label the container "Livestock Sharps" to properly identify the contents.
- Dispose of the containers in accordance with your state's regulations.
Our pharmacy hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. − 4:30 p.m. CST.