Eco-Friendly Meloxicam Replaces Eco-Demaging Diclofenac Sodium in Veterinary Practice in South Asia - A Review

Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). It has been reported as a safe substitute of diclofenac sodium which has been banned for veterinary use in Pakistan, Nepal and India due to its relay toxicity associated with the catastrophic and unprecedented decline in vulture population during last 17 years. Diclofenac was very cheap and commonly used drug and it was highly toxic when dose of 0.8 mg /kg was administered directly to the vulture in captivity. Although diclofenac is now regarded as a devastating environmental toxicant in recent times, but it is still used in veterinary practice. Meloxicam was safe for vultures up to the dose of 2 mg/Kg which is more than its likely maximum level of exposure (MLE) to wild vultures. Marked inter-species differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of NSAIDs had been reported and pharmacokinetic data could not be extrapolated from one species to another. However, consequent upon to relentless International pressures for elimination of diclofenac sodium from veterinary practice, the governments in the subcontinent are freely registering meloxicam for veterinary use without giving any due consideration to species specific PK-data. Manufacturers are selling veterinary injections of meloxicam without giving animal specific dosage. There is need to study pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in the domestic target species under local conditions, to enable its rational clinical use.