This article is sponsored content brought to you by Dermcare.
Dermcare’s new prescription product, Equicort®, is a novel topical therapy for the reduction of lesions and pruritus associated IBH in horses. It contains budesonide (glucocorticoid) and permethrin (insecticide) formulated in a leave-on conditioner. Equicort® controls skin inflammation, reduces pruritus and addresses the cause of the disease by killing biting midges.
Activity
Equicort® contains a locally acting steroid, budesonide, which exhibits prolonged retention in target tissues making it an ideal choice for the topical treatment of IBH, allowing for reduced frequency of application. Within the cell, budesonide is reversibly converted to lipophilic esters, which are inactive, and stored intracellularly1. Over time, these esters are hydrolysed back to reform active budesonide, allowing for prolonged anti-inflammatory activity.This process is known as reversible esterification1.
Equicort® also contains an insecticide, permethrin. Permethrin targets sodium channels in the nerves of insects leading to paralysis and death.
Efficacy
Equicort® has been shown to effectively reduce pruritus, inflammation and skin lesions associated with IBH in horses.
In a large, multicentre field study, 52 horses from different geographical locations within Australia suffering from Culicoides spp. hypersensitivity were treated with Equicort® once weekly for four weeks2. On average, lesion scores improved by 80% in four weeks, and pruritus reduced by 56%2.
A double blinded, placebo-controlled study demonstrated a statistically significant difference between Equicort® and placebo, at all time points assessed during the study3. At the end of the trial period, the average reduction in lesion scores was 85% in horses receiving Equicort®, whereas horses receiving placebo had a reduction of 28%3. Additionally, pruritus scores were reduced by an average of 62% in horses receiving Equicort® and 25% in horses receiving the placebo3.
Safety
Due to the topical application and local activity of Equicort®, systemic effects, often seen with oral or systemic corticosteroids, are uncommon4.
How to use
Equicort® only requires a once weekly application to a damp coat which eliminates the need for multiple, regular medications assisting with owner compliance for this chronic disease. Dispense Equicort® onto a gloved hand and apply one pump per open hand size area of affected skin. Only apply enough product to cover affected areas, up to a maximum of 60 mL per horse per treatment. The dose should be reduced as soon as the extent and severity of clinical signs have improved. Massage into the coat until the product reaches the skin, ensuring it is worked well into the crest, mane and tail. Equicort® should be left on the coat to dry.
Equicort® is a novel topical therapy that will play an important role in the management of this prevalent and complex allergic skin disease in horses.
Visit Dermcare
References:
1. Brattsand, R., & Miller-Larsson, A. (2003). The role of intracellular esterification in budesonide once-daily dosing and airway selectivity. Clinical therapeutics, 25, C28-C41.
2. Ruutu M., Single arm open label field study of Dermcare-Vet Queensland Itch Leave-on Conditioner for Horses suffering from Culicoides hypersensitivity (Queensland Itch), 2022. Commercial in confidence, Dermcare-Vet.
3. Dawson, K and Ruutu, M., A double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical field study assessing the efficacy and tolerability of a leave-on conditioner containing Budesonide and Permethrin in alleviation of Culicoides Hypersensitivity (Queensland Itch) symptoms in horses, 2017. Commercial in confidence, Dermcare-Vet.
4. Ridley, I. and Chambers, M., Target Animal Safety Study for the Topical Application of DERMCARE QLDITCH CONDITIONER to Horses Weekly for 12 Weeks, 2016. Commercial in confidence, Dermcare-Vet.
