DRUG REPURPOSING: NEW ANTIMICROBIAL APPLICATIONS OF NON-ANTIBIOTIC DRUGS IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

Drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to address the urgent need for novel antimicrobials in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both human and veterinary medicine. This review focuses on veterinary and animal health applications of repurposing existing non-antibiotic drugs for new antimicrobial uses. A systematic literature search (2015,2025)identified peer-reviewed studies evaluating non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals such as anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, anticancer and neuroactive agents for antibacterial or antifungal efficacy relevant to animal health. The Introduction outlines the context of AMR in animal populations and the rationale for drug repurposing as a faster, cost-effective alternative to de novo antibiotic development. The Methodology describes the literature selection process aligning with PRISMA guidelines.