Veterinary professionals specializing in equine medicine have been treating equine gastric disease in horses for decades. This common and often debilitating condition has traditionally been treated orally. While traditional treatments are effective, the current treatment advice can be complex and time-consuming, making compliance more difficult for horse owners.
Epicur’s mission has always been to raise the standards in animal healthcare—for patients, vet professionals, and caregivers. Our new prolonged duration injectable omeprazole for horses continues this commitment by bringing an innovative treatment option to equine medicine, requiring one injection every 5-7 days rather than the daily oral paste.
Understanding the Conditions & Forms of Equine Gastric Ulcer Disease
Equine gastric disease is an umbrella term used to describe two distinct conditions:
- Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) – affects the upper part of the stomach
- Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) – EGGD impacts the lower glandular region
While the causes of equine gastric disease vary between ESGD and EGGD, both conditions can cause significant discomfort and health issues for horses, leading to decreased performance and overall well-being. Common symptoms of the disease include poor appetite, weight loss, colic, and changes in behavior.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications and improve the horse’s quality of life. As with any complex disease, the prevention of gastric ulceration varies with breed, use, level of training, and between ESGD and EGGD.
Omeprazole injection vs. traditional oral treatments
Oral medications have been the only method for treating gastric ulcers, but an injection method of treatment offers key differences that support prolonged relief for horses. Some of the differences between injection and paste treatment deliveries include:
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Paste
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Omeprazole Injection (Bova Formulation)
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|---|---|
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Daily dosing
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5-7 day dosing (1,3)
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Enteral route, with risks of lower bioavailability (2,3)
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Parenteral route overcomes some of the
bioavailability issues (2,3)
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Horses need to be fasted prior to administering as the presence of food reduces absorption (6)
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No need to fast (2,3,6)
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Lower rates of healing published (3,6)
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4 times higher rates of healing published, especially for glandular disease (2,3)
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|
N/A
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Localized reactions in approximately 1-2.6% cases. Typically painless and transient (1,2,4,7)
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*refer to references at the end of post
Omeprazole Injection with Prolonged Duration of Action: An Innovative Treatment
Omeprazole injection is a highly effective treatment for equine gastric disease. In partnership with the Bova group, Epicur launched a unique injectable omeprazole in December 2024 for equine veterinarians in the US. This same injectable omeprazole has been available from Bova in Australia and the UK since 2017.
This innovative injectable omeprazole formulation, exclusive to Epicur in the US, offers several benefits over other formulations and treatment methods available on the market.
Benefits of Injectable Omeprazole
- Prolonged Duration of Action: Unlike oral omeprazole, which requires daily dosing, the injection method provides sustained relief with just one injection every 5-7 days.
- Improved Compliance: Horse owners find it easier to manage their horses’ health with fewer injections, leading to better adherence to the treatment regimen.
- Higher Healing Rates: Studies have shown that the injection method results in higher healing rates, especially for glandular gastric disease.
- FDA Enforced Regulations: The omeprazole injection suspension is manufactured following strict FDA regulations, ensuring its potency, and stability.
Fast Facts About Epicur’s Omeprazole Injection
- The dose of omeprazole is 4mg/kg intramuscular (gluteal or neck preferred, avoid pectorals)
- Warm to body temperature prior to administration
- Agitate the product well to ensure it is fully reconstituted
- Do not split the dose across multiple sites
- Ensure the site is aseptically prepared or at least cleaned prior to injection
- An 18 G needle is suggested for administration
Equine gastric ulcers are a significant health concern for horses, but with the right treatment, it can be effectively managed. Epicur’s patented omeprazole injection suspension offers a convenient and highly effective solution, providing prolonged relief and higher healing rates.
Learn more about the innovative treatment and the unique formulation now available to help you ensure the health and well-being of the horses in your care.
References:
- Sundra T, Kelty E, Rendle D. Five- versus seven-day dosing intervals of extended-release injectable omeprazole in the treatment of equine squamous and glandular gastric disease. Equine Vet J. 2024; 56(1): 51–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13938
- Gough S, Hallowell G, Rendle D. A study investigating the treatment of equine squamous gastric disease with long-acting injectable or oral omeprazole. Vet Med Sci. 2020; 6: 235–241. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.220
- Rendle, D.I. & Gough, S.L. (2024). Pharmaceutical treatment of equine glandular gastric disease: A contextualised review of recent developments. Equine Veterinary Education, 00, 1–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.14047
- (2018), Efficacy of long-acting injectable omeprazole (LAIOMEP) in the management of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) and equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Equine Vet J, 50: 14-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.20_13008
- Lehman, M.L., Bass, L., Gustafson, D.L., Rao, S. & O’Fallon, E.S. (2022) Clinical efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a novel long-acting intramuscular omeprazole in performance horses with gastric ulcers. Equine Veterinary Education, 34, 573–580.
- Banse, H.E. & Paul, L.J. (2024) Review of equine glandular gastric disease. Equine Veterinary Education, 36, 555–560. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.1402820423292 , 2024, 10
- Gough, S., Hallowell, G. & Rendle, D. (2022) Evaluation of the treatment of equine glandular gastric disease with either long-acting- injectable or oral omeprazole. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 8, 561–567.
