Since the Oct. 29 H5N1 avian influenza detection in pigs in Oregon, there has been some questions surrounding the use of aspirin and sodium salicylate in swine from a U.S. regulatory perspective. Previously the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had stated that aspirin use was of low regulatory concern. However, due to its increased use in H5N1 affected dairy cattle, the FDA shifted its stance to state use is no longer of low regulatory concern. In fact, there's some concern that use may potentially lead to residues directly into bulk tanks, according to Locke Karriker, American Association of Swine Veterinarians president-elect.

"Obviously that has implications for what we do in the pig world," says Karriker. "We do use aspirin and sodium salicylate in the pig world."

During a recent Swine Health Information Center/AASV webinar, Karriker provided an update on aspirin and sodium salicylate use in swine from a U.S. regulatory perspective.

According to AASV, under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act, veterinarians may use only FDA-approved human or animal drug in food-producing species under specific conditions in an extra-label manner. The extra-label use of unapproved drugs in food-producing species is prohibited. 

All FDA-approved animal products are required to carry one of the following statements on the label:

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"As it stands, at this moment, we really don't have a legal pathway for use of true aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, or sodium salicylate in swine. And so that's led us to consider some other potential treatments, some other nonsteroidals and how they might be evaluated through this same process and same pathway," Karriker says.
AASV has compiled a number of resources available to address the issue: