FDA clears Zygolide as first generic pergolide for equine PPID

Zygolide, Dechra’s peppermint-flavored pergolide tablet for horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, or PPID, won FDA approval in early January as the first generic bioequivalent to Prascend. The product is indicated to control clinical signs of equine Cushing’s disease, is available by prescription through veterinarians, and is packaged as a 1 mg, half-scored tablet in 60- and 160-count cartons. Dechra is positioning the launch around easier administration, tablet stability, and lower cost, with marketing materials also highlighting 360-degree scoring and a flavor profile intended to support daily dosing adherence. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For equine veterinarians, this adds a new FDA-approved pergolide option in a category long dominated by Prascend. That could matter for compliance, especially in older horses that need lifelong treatment and in cases where pet parents struggle with tablet acceptance, dose splitting, or cost over time. Label details also reinforce familiar practice points: treatment is titrated from 2 mcg/kg once daily up to 4 mcg/kg, many horses may need dose adjustment, tablets should not be crushed because of human exposure risk, and inappetence remains a common early adverse effect. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Watch how quickly Zygolide gains traction in equine practice, especially if pricing and ease-of-use claims translate into better long-term adherence for horses with PPID. (dechra-us.com)