Pronunciation
PON-az-uh-ril - Pronunciation guide
Brand Names
- Marquis (15% w/w Ponazuril) Antiprotozoal Oral Paste
Description
Ponazuril was the first FDA approved treatment for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. It works by killing protozoal parasites, including Sarcocystis neurona, which is responsible for causing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
Usage
Ponazuril is an effective treatment for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis because it crosses the blood/brain barrier, enabling the drug to reach effective levels in the central nervous system and kill the migrating parasite responsible for the disease in the spinal cord.
Dosage and Administration
Ponazuril | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Method | Dosage (click row for calculator) |
Concentration | Period | Duration |
Oral (paste) | 5 mg/kg | 150 mg/g 1 | Daily | 28 days |
Notes:
|
Method | Amount | Dosage | Period | Duration | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral | 2.27 | mg/lb | Daily | 28 days |
Dose Form: Multidose paste syringes; Each syringe contains enough drug to treat a 1,200 lb horse for seven days |
Side Effects
Mild side effects include loose manure, occasional loss of appetite, weight loss, mild colic, blisters of the mouth and nose, skin rash, and hives.
Precautions
The manufacturer notes that although ponazuril will "effectively clear the horse of S. neurona, it may have no effect on irreparable, pre-existing central nervous system damage caused by the protozoal parasite prior to treatment.".
Relapse is sometimes a problem for horses after treatment and veterinarians are not in agreement about how best to treat these horses.
Many veterinarians increase the recommended length of treatment from 28 days to double that length of time, or 56 days.
Ponazuril is an FDA approved drug for use in horses and is a prescription drug. U. S. federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian.
Ponazuril would be prohibited in any drug-free competition. It is important to check with the individual regulatory group.
Interactions
Drug literature gives no information about drug interactions with this medication.
Overdose
No specific information is available about overdose in horses.
Images
Marquis Oral Paste