Phenylbutazone Tablets Available

“Bute” – Phenylbutazone

Phenylbutazone (a/k/a butazolidin) is primarily used to relieve musculoskeletal pain and inflammation in the horse. Bute comes in several forms including an injectable liquid for intravenous dosing only. It is most commonly found in oral forms, the familiar paste, tablets and powder. Used correctly, bute is a powerful and effective means of relieving pain and inflammation. Nevertheless, problems can arise due to misuse or overuse of bute:



It is unsafe in all horses at high doses for long periods of time.
It is considered more likely to cause ulcers, especially in the large colon, than Banamine® and other NSAIDS.
It is processed, inactivated, and removed from circulation by the liver and kidneys. Young horses have not fully developed their ability to process this drug, and tend to accumulate toxic doses of it. The same concern applies to old horses and those with underlying illnesses.
It is highly effective for treatment of lameness. As a consequence, it can mask signs of mild or moderate lameness. A horse with a non-displaced fracture on high doses of bute may over-stress the injury causing worsening of the fracture, which could even be fatal.
Bute is somewhat less effective than Banamine® at controlling abdominal pain (colic) but can still be useful.