Editor’s Note: There were some questions hovering about in the industry when Merial acquired Bayer’s two standout products Marquis and Legend. We reached out to Merial’s Beckie Peskin, Senior Product Manager, Equine, to have them answered for you.
EquiManagement: Will there be any disruption in product availability for Marquis or Legend?
Peskin: No, we are taking orders (and filling back orders) now.
EquiManagement: How do I contact Merial to order Marquis or Legend?
Peskin: Veterinarians can work directly with their existing Merial representatives or preferred distributor partner. If a veterinarian doesn’t know who his or her Merial contact is, he or she can call Customer Care to order at 1-888-637-4251, option 2, then press 1. For prescribing questions, they can call Veterinary Support, 1-888-637-4251, option 2, then press 4.
EquiManagement: Will there be any change in formulation with either product?
Peskin: Both Legend and Marquis have long-standing histories as proven and FDA-approved products. For more information about both, see the attached fact sheets. Merial has no plans to change the formulations of these products at this point.
EquiManagement: Are there any changes in the current Merial products with the introduction of these former Bayer products?
Peskin: We are excited to add these products to our equine product portfolio and feel they compliment our offerings, in particular to performance horse owners. These products also allow us to continue in our role as partners to horse owners, trainers and veterinarians by giving us the opportunity to educate them about EPM and joint dysfunction. As with our other products, we plan to support Legend and Marquis with educational resources and meaningful rebate opportunities.
EquiManagement: Are there any other acquisitions or new products planned for launch from Merial this year?
Peskin: We are committed to the equine health care industry and are always looking for and evaluating opportunities to expand our portfolio with proven products to help horses stay healthy and at peak performance.
Merial has provided fact sheets that you can download on EPM and joint health.
Merial’s Complete Equine Product Line
Legend
Even the healthiest, most athletic horses are susceptible to joint inflammation, especially those that train and compete. Simple joint inflammation can quickly develop into synovitis and lead to osteoarthritis.
Legend Injectable Solution and Legend Multi Dose Injectable Solution are indicated in the treatment of joint dysfunction of the carpus and fetlock in horses due to non-infectious synovitis associated with equine osteoarthritis. Legend is the first FDA-approved joint therapy labeled for both intra-articular and intravaneous administration, and the only product on the market labeled for both. Legend reduces joint inflammation and the resulting pain and lameness by decreasing production and release of inflammatory mediators.1
Marquis
Undetected or left untreated, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) can cause serious, permanent neurological damage in horses. EPM is caused by Sarcocystis neurona, a parasite that invades the brain and spinal cord.2 The parasite is found in the feces of opossums.
Marquis, the first FDA-approved treatment for EPM, can help a horse recover from this disease and stop the infecting parasite from inflicting further damage to the central nervous system.2
GastroGard (omeprazole) and UlcerGard (omeprazole)
Training, traveling and competing can put any horse at risk for equine stomach ulcers.3,4 One study has shown that two out of three non-racing competing horses may have stomach ulcers.3
GastroGard and UlcerGard are the only proven and FDA-approved products to treat and prevent equine stomach ulcers, respectively.5,6
Zimecterin Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel)
Treating horses for parasites, including tapeworms, is critical to maintaining overall horse health. Studies have shown that parasites have developed resistance to certain commonly used anthelmintic classes,7 so it’s become increasingly important to use the right product at the right time.
Zimecterin Gold controls more species and stages of parasites than any other dewormer, including tapeworms (Anoplocephala perfoliata).8,9
Equioxx(firocoxib)Oral Paste and Injection
Managing joint pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis is important to all horse owners, but especially to those whose horses compete.
Equioxx (the paste formulation) is the only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory approved for use up to 14 consecutive days by the American Quarter Horse Association10 and the United States Equestrian Federation, when given at the recommended dose with a 12-hour withdrawal time prior to competing.11 Traditional NSAIDs are approved for a maximum of only five days in these types of events.10,11
Merial Vaccines
The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends that horse owners vaccinate to help protect their horses against tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis, West Nile virus and rabies.12 Merial’s Recombitek rWNV-EWT helps protect against tetanus, EEE, WEE and WNV, and the IMRAB vaccine helps protect horses against rabies. The Merial Potomavac vaccine has been proven to be effective in helping prevent Potomac horse fever,13 a disease identified in 43 states.14
LEGEND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
The safety of LEGEND has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares. Post-Approval Experience: While all adverse reactions are not reported, the following adverse reactions are based on voluntary post-approval reporting for LEGEND Injectable Solution: Following intravenous use: Occasional depression, lethargy, and fever. Following intra-articular (LEGEND Injectable Solution – 2 mL only) use: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection site swelling, and joint pain.
MARQUIS IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
The safe use of MARQUIS in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares, has not been evaluated. In animal safety studies, loose feces, sporadic inappetence, lost weight, and moderate edema in the uterine epithelium were observed.
ULCERGARD IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 pounds. Safety in pregnant mares has not been determined.
GASTROGARD IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
CAUTION: Safety of GASTROGARD in pregnant or lactating mares has not been determined.
EQUIOXX IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
As with any prescription medication, prior to use, a veterinarian should perform a physical examination and review the horse’s medical history. A veterinarian should advise horse owners to observe for signs of potential drug toxicity. As a class, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be associated with gastrointestinal, hepatic and renal toxicity. Use with other NSAIDs, corticosteroids or nephrotoxic medication should be avoided. EQUIOXX has not been tested in horses less than 1 year of age or in breeding horses, or pregnant or lactating mares. For additional information, please refer to the prescribing information or visit www.equioxx.com.
ZIMECTERIN Paste 1.87% IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. Do not use in other animal species, as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.
ZIMECTERIN GOLD IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. In horses, there have been rare reports of swelling and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue following administration of ZIMECTERIN Gold. These reactions have been transitory in nature. Do not use in other animal species as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.
About Merial
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs 6,100 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with more than $2 billion of sales in 2014. Merial is a Sanofi company. For more information please see www.merial.com.
1Kawcak DE, et al. Effects of intravenous administration of sodium hyaluronate on carpal joints in exercising horses after arthroscopic surgery and osteochondral fragmentation. AJVR,1997;58(10):1132-1140.
2Reed S. Neurology is Not a Euphemism for Necropsy: A Review of Selected Neurological Diseases Affecting Horses. AAEP Proceedings. 2008:78-109.
3Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Association for Equine Sports Medicine. September 2001.
4McClure SR, Carithers DS, Gross SJ, Murray MJ. Gastric ulcer development in horses in a simulated show or training environment. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005;227(5):775-777.
5GASTROGARD product label.
6ULCERGARD product label.
7Kaplan RM, et al. Prevalence of anthelmintic-resistant cyathostomes on horse farms. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004;225(6):903-910.
8Based on data provided on the ZIMECTERIN Gold product label.
9Based on data provided in FDA Freedom of Information summaries.
10American Quarter Horse Association. Show rules and regulations. Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. Available at: file:///Users/andrewp/Downloads/2015%20Handbook-%20Shows.pdf Accessed January 15, 2015.
