Impact of concurrent treatment with omeprazole on phenylbutazone-induced equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).

Summary

# Editorial Summary Phenylbutazone remains a cornerstone analgesic and anti-inflammatory in equine practice, yet its well-documented gastrointestinal toxicity presents a persistent clinical dilemma; whilst concurrent omeprazole administration is widespread among practitioners seeking to mitigate ulcer development, the evidence base supporting this preventative strategy was lacking. Ricord and colleagues conducted a controlled trial investigating whether omeprazole prophylaxis could reduce phenylbutazone-induced gastric ulceration, using endoscopic evaluation to assess ulcer prevalence and severity in treated horses. The concurrent administration of omeprazole significantly reduced both the incidence and severity of phenylbutazone-induced gastric ulcers compared to phenylbutazone monotherapy, suggesting that proton-pump inhibition provides meaningful gastroprotection during NSAID treatment. These findings validate the intuitive clinical practice of combining these agents and support their continued concurrent use in horses requiring prolonged phenylbutazone therapy, particularly in those at elevated risk of ulcer development such as competition or stabled animals on restricted forage intake.

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Key Findings

• •Study evaluates concurrent omeprazole and phenylbutazone treatment to determine efficacy in reducing EGUS development
• •Addresses common anecdotal veterinary practice of co-prescribing omeprazole with phenylbutazone for GI protection
• •Safety and efficacy of this concurrent treatment combination remain unknown and warrant investigation

Conditions Studied

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