A commonly asked question is if joint supplements can be fed along with bute or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ideally, the answer should be obtained from the vet who has prescribed the drug, since they should provide advice about what can and cannot be fed along with the drug. Joint supplements are classed as complementary feeds, not medicines or therapeutics, so in theory they are safe to feed with medication. Most joint supplements with commonly used ingredients can be safely fed with NSAIDs. The supplements have the benefit of no deleterious side effects.
NSAIDs work by inhibiting one of the enzymes (cyclo-oxygenase, or COX) involved in the inflammatory process, which reduces inflammation and pain. Unfortunately they also inhibit other enzymes, which mean they have some unwanted side effects, including gut irritation and ulceration (in most cases, only when used long term in high doses). They should, therefore, be used strictly under veterinary supervision and always at the lowest possible dose.
It’s not known precisely how joint supplement ingredients work, but there is some information available:
GlucosamineSupplies building blocks for glycosaminoglycan synthesis, stimulates hyaluronic acid production, and inhibits inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide, nuclear factor kappa B, and prostaglandin E2, and degradative enzymes such as collagenase and aggrecanase. Glucosamine protects against cartilage degradation in damaged or osteoarthritis samples in vitro. Neither glucosamine nor chondroitin have been found to inhibit COX enzymes.
Chondroitin
Its mode of action is believed to be a replacement of the proteoglycans in articular cartilage, which are lost in damage and/or inflammation, an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibition of enzymes involved in cartilage breakdown, as for glucosamine. Chondroitin also protects against cartilage degradation in damaged or osteoarthritis samples in vitro.
Its mode of action is believed to be a replacement of the proteoglycans in articular cartilage, which are lost in damage and/or inflammation, an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibition of enzymes involved in cartilage breakdown, as for glucosamine. Chondroitin also protects against cartilage degradation in damaged or osteoarthritis samples in vitro.
Boswellia
The biologically active ingredients are boswellic acids, and research studies have found that in particular, a compound called 3-O-acetyl-11-ketobetaboswellic acid (AKBA) seems to be active in inhibiting the action of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in inflammation. The extra benefit of using boswellia as a joint-supporting supplement is that it doesn’t have the cartilage-degradative and stomach-irritating properties of commonly-used anti-inflammatory drugs.
The biologically active ingredients are boswellic acids, and research studies have found that in particular, a compound called 3-O-acetyl-11-ketobetaboswellic acid (AKBA) seems to be active in inhibiting the action of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in inflammation. The extra benefit of using boswellia as a joint-supporting supplement is that it doesn’t have the cartilage-degradative and stomach-irritating properties of commonly-used anti-inflammatory drugs.
MSM
A biologically available source of sulphur, MSM’s therapeutic properties are believed to come from its antioxidant activity. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and blocks inflammatory mediators in human cartilage cells.
A biologically available source of sulphur, MSM’s therapeutic properties are believed to come from its antioxidant activity. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and blocks inflammatory mediators in human cartilage cells.
Turmeric
A group of pigments giving turmeric its yellow colour, curcuminoids, are believed to be the active component. Curcuminoids are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. They inhibit the inflammatory mediator nuclear factor kappa B and block the interleukin-1-induced degradation of cartilage in in vitro models.
A group of pigments giving turmeric its yellow colour, curcuminoids, are believed to be the active component. Curcuminoids are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. They inhibit the inflammatory mediator nuclear factor kappa B and block the interleukin-1-induced degradation of cartilage in in vitro models.
Ginger
The active components – primarily phenolic compounds including gingerols – act on inflammatory mediators, inhibiting both prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis, and inhibiting COX enzymes, thus having an anti-inflammatory effect.
The active components – primarily phenolic compounds including gingerols – act on inflammatory mediators, inhibiting both prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis, and inhibiting COX enzymes, thus having an anti-inflammatory effect.
These active ingredients are fed to a great number of horses. Joint-supporting products are the biggest selling supplements, and many owners report good results. Recent research is encouraging. Researchers at Texas A&M University have found that supplementary glucosamine (15 g for a 500 kg horse) tended to ‘increase new cartilage production’ and ‘decrease the breakdown of existing cartilage’ in damaged joints of young horses. Researchers at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, UK recently presented a study showing that adult horses with slight lameness (1/10 to 4/10 lame) fed a joint supplement (containing a variety of ingredients including glucosamine and MSM) had a lower lameness grade than those on a placebo or before supplementation.
It’s recommended that you consult your veterinarian about the supplements you feed to your horse who has been prescribed NSAIDs. In general, however they are safe to feed alongside each other.
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