FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE - NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESIC

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 200  (3) , 501-507
Abstract
The N-methyl-d-glucamine salt of flunixin (flunixin meglumine) was a potent non-narcotic analgesic agent after i.p. administration in mice, rats and monkeys. It was significantly more potent than pentazocine, meperidine and codeine in the rat yeast paw test after s.c. administration in saline. Activity on i.m. administration was comparable to that after s.c. administration and was enhanced when dissolved in buffered saline as compared to nonbuffered saline. Flunixin meglumine also had oral activity and differed from indomethacin in having more analgesic activity/unit of anti-inflammatory activity. In mice, flunixin meglumine was equipotent to pentazocine and more potent than meperidine and codeine in the abdominal constriction test. In primates, flunixin meglumine at 10 mg/kg i.m., produced a degree of analgesic efficacy comparable to that of a clinically effective dose of morphine (0.3 mg/kg). Tolerance to the analgesic action of flunixin meglumine was not observed. Flunixin meglumine retained its activity in rats made tolerant to codeine. The analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine was not antagonized by naloxone after acute administration in rats. Flunixin meglumine was a i.p. and orally effective analgesic in animals and was unlikely to have narcotic or drug dependence liability.