Fluphenazine (Prolixin) Use in Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Often dealing with horses you run into situations where mild long term yet mild sedation would help. This could be to help both you and the horse to deal with situations that are adverse to the horse but, hopefully, either the situation or behavior is temporary. For example:

• prolonged stall rest
• separation of a best buddy
• foal rejection by a mare
• initial aggression when introducing new horses
• unusually excitable or resistant while ridden
• chronic pain?

Fluphenazine, brand name Prolixin, is an example of such a medication that has about a 15-year history of unlabeled use in horses, yet very little is written about it in horses. Fluphenazine is a member of the large group of drugs known as neuroleptics, which have their principal effect on brain function. Neuroleptics differ from other sedatives in that patients are easily arousable and will respond when stimulated. Neuroleptics suppress spontaneous motor activity, conditioned avoidance, and aggressive behavior, but (hopefully) do not induce ataxia or incoordination at usual doses. This article puts together what is known about this drug in humans, adds the little bit of published material about fluphenazine use in horses, adds some anecdotal material, and then makes some recommendations on use and provides some guidelines on the treatment of adverse reactions.

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