Compounding of Veterinary Drugs for Equine Practitioners

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Compounded medications offer tailored treatments for horses but require careful consideration.
• Ensuring the safe and effective use of these medications is paramount in equine practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide evidence-based recommendations for equine practitioners on the appropriate use of compounded medications.
• To outline criteria for the veterinary-driven decision-making process for compounded drug use in horses.

Main Methods:

• Recommendations are based on veterinary-driven decisions.
• Compliance with the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 is emphasized.
• Specific criteria for the judicious use of compounded drugs are defined.

Main Results:

• Compounded medication use must be based on a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
• Use is restricted to situations where no other drug delivery method is practical.
• Application is limited to drugs with demonstrated safety, efficacy, and stability, or for conditions with quantifiable monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to these guidelines ensures responsible and ethical use of compounded medications in equine practice.
• These recommendations support evidence-based medicine and regulatory compliance for improved horse health outcomes.