💊 Vet Warning 2025: Not All Omeprazole Products for Horses Are Effective 🐴⚠️

Author: Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Gastric ulcers are a common issue in performance horses, especially those under heavy training or stress. While omeprazole is the gold-standard treatment, not all products containing this ingredient are created equal. In fact, some may contain far less or far more omeprazole than stated. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains why FDA-approved medications like Ulcergard® and Gastrogard® are the safest and most effective options for treating ulcers. 🐎🔬

📉 What the FDA Found

Only two omeprazole-based ulcer medications are FDA-approved for equine use:

• 💊 Gastrogard® – approved for treatment of equine gastric ulcers
• 🛡️ Ulcergard® – approved for prevention of gastric ulcers

However, the market is flooded with unapproved, compounded, or generic omeprazole products. The FDA tested several and found:

• 📉 Some contained as little as 36% of labeled omeprazole
• 📈 Others contained up to 135% of the claimed amount

These variances raise serious concerns about both efficacy and safety. ❌

⚠️ Why Unapproved Omeprazole Fails

Many unapproved omeprazole products lack an effective buffering or delivery system and are destroyed by stomach acid before absorption. This means:

• 🧪 Little or no active drug reaches the bloodstream
• 💸 Owners waste money on ineffective treatment
• ⚠️ Horses may suffer continued ulceration or relapse

🧠 Why FDA Approval Matters

• 📋 Quality control ensures the right dose in every tube
• 🧬 Clinical trials prove safety and effectiveness
• 🔍 Formulation science protects the drug until it’s absorbed

With approved products like Gastrogard® and Ulcergard®, you know what your horse is getting—and that it works. ✅

📉 Why Cheaper Isn’t Better

Yes, FDA-approved medications may cost more upfront—but ineffective treatments cost even more in the long run through:

• 📉 Delayed healing
• 🚑 Additional vet visits
• 💊 Re-treatment with the correct product

In ulcer therapy, you truly get what you pay for. 💰

🧠 Dr Duncan Houston’s Tip

"If you’re treating ulcers, don’t take shortcuts. FDA-approved omeprazole products are backed by science, not just marketing." 🐴💬

📋 When to Use Omeprazole

• 🏇 For racehorses, show horses, and horses in heavy training
• 🌪️ During stressful periods (travel, stall rest, herd changes)
• 🍽️ For picky eaters, poor performers, or horses with girth sensitivity

Always use under veterinary supervision, and monitor for improvement through appetite, behavior, and performance. 🩺

🔚 Final Thoughts: Trust Science, Not Supplements

Gastric ulcers are treatable—but only when you're using a product that actually works. With FDA-approved Gastrogard® and Ulcergard®, you're giving your horse the best chance at full recovery. 🐎❤️

Need help choosing the right ulcer treatment? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to connect with an equine vet today. 📱💊