Flunixin

Flunixin	Last updated: 06/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), analgesic, and antipyretic used in veterinary medicine. It is usually formulated using the meglumine variant.

Examples of veterinary uses

Mainly used to treat skeletal and muscular disorders as well as colic

Examples of species treated

Horses; Cattle; Pigs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Flunixin does not exhibit traditional stereoisomerism like enantiomers or geometric isomers. Instead, its isomerism is primarily expressed through polymorphism, which refers to the ability of a compound to crystallise in more than one distinct solid form. At least two polymorphic forms of flunixin, Form I and Form II, have been identified each with unique hydrogen bonding patterns and molecular conformations. These forms differ in how the molecules pack in the crystal lattice, influenced by factors like solvent choice and temperature during crystallization. For example, Form I features an acid–pyridine hydrogen bond, while Form II, generated by thermal treatment, shows a different intermolecular arrangement.

Chemical formula

C₁₄H₁₁F₃N₂O₂

Canonical SMILES

CC1=C(C=CC=C1NC2=C(C=CC=N2)C(=O)O)C(F)(F)F

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

NOOCSNJCXJYGPE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C14H11F3N2O2/c1-8-10(14(15,16)17)5-2-6-11(8)19-12-9(13(20)21)4-3-7-18-12/h2-7H,1H3,(H,18,19)(H,20,21)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
flunixin	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Anagelsic, Anti-inflammatory, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Unclassified substance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Works via the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, blocks synthesis of eicosanoids which are chemical mediators of inflammation

Molecular targets

[Prostaglandin G/H Synthase 2, Antagonist]

CAS RN

38677-85-9

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Musculo-skeletal system: Anti-inflammatory & antirheumatic products

ATCvet Code

QM01AG90

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine, Porcine, Equidae)

Molecular mass

296.24

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

2-[[2-Methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]amino]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid

CAS name

2-(2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylanilino)nicotinic acid

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White solid

Related substances & organisms

flunixin meglumine

Commercial

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Example products (past and present) using this active

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations, as the meglumine variant, including solutions for injection, pour-on products and oral pastes

Commercial production

The production of flunixin typically involves a multi-step chemical synthesis starting with 2-methyl-3-trifluoromethylaniline and 2-chloronicotinic acid ethyl ester as key raw materials. These compounds undergo a condensation reaction in the presence of a solvent like polyethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, with cuprous iodide and p-toluenesulfonic acid acting as catalysts. The reaction is carried out under heat with continuous stirring. After completion, the mixture is treated with an alkaline aqueous solution, followed by acidification to adjust the pH below 5. The resulting product is then isolated through suction filtration, washed with ethanol, and dried under reduced pressure to yield high-purity flunixin.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

226

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

5.82

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 32

Rat

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

225

Colinus virginianus

Moderate

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 32

Rat

High

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Widely distributed throughout body tissues and fluids. Excretion via urine, bile and other gastrointestinal secretions.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause gastrointestinal problems
Possible liver and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN2811

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

flunixin

French

flunixine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

flunixino

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	06/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242