Flunixin Meglumine Residues and Injection Site Damage

a Serious Problem That Needs Our Profession's Attention

Abstract

Did you know that flunixin meglumine (FM) residues are the second leading violative residue reported by the USDA-FSIS? Flunixin meglumine residue violations are surpassed only by the residue violations from over the counter (OTC) procaine penicillin G and are the leading prescription (Rx) drug residues in all food animals. The FDA-CVM, in the FDA Veterinarian Newsletter 2007, Volume XXII, Number 2, reminded all veterinarians to use FM correctly. In that newsletter, the FDA-CVM noted investigations of several residue reports which led the agency to believe that unapproved routes of administration, such as intramuscular use, were traced to violative residues. The agency reminded veterinarians that the drug was only approved for intravenous use and that the convenience of an alternate route of administration, such as intramuscular, was not an AMDUCA acceptable reason for extralabel drug use.