Published detection times of drugs used for valid therapeutic purposes in horses.



DRUG (BRAND NAME)

THERAPEUTIC INDICATION

TYPICAL DOSE and ROUTE* FOR 1000 LB (450 KG) HORSE

ELIMINATION HALF-LIFE

DETECTION LIMIT (SOURCE OF INFORMATION)

Tranquilizers/Sedatives

acepromazine (Atravet®, PromAce®)

Tranquilizer used for calming horses. Has no pain-relieving action.

25 mg IV, IM

30 mg IM

50 mg Orally

3 hr (IV)

6 hr (Orally)

36 hr (Canada)

120 hr (AAEP)

72 hr (Australia)

butorphanol (Torbugesic®)

Sedative with pain-relieving action, used frequently to treat colic in horses.

5 mg IV

4 hr

72 hr (Canada)

dantrolene (Dantrium®)

Muscle relaxant used in horses with myopathies ("tying-up").

1 gram Orally

2 hr

36 hr (Canada)

detomidine (Dormosedan®)

Sedative with pain-relieving action, used frequently to treat colic in horses.

5 mg IV

1 hr

48 hr (Australia)

72 hr (Canada)

guaifenesin (Guailaxin®, Gecolate®)

Muscle relaxant used in horses with myopathies ("tying-up").

2 gram IV, Orally

1.5 hr

24 hr (Canada)

48 hr (Australia)

methocarbamol (Robaxin®)

Muscle relaxant used in horses with myopathies ("tying-up").

5 grams IV, Orally

1 hr

24 hr (Canada)

romifidine (Sedivet®)

Sedative with pain-relieving action, used frequently to treat colic in horses.

30 mg IV

NA**

48 hr (Australia)

Anti-inflammatories/Pain Relievers

aspirin

Orallyor pain-reliever in the horse. Sometimes used to treat periodic ophthalmia ("moon blindness"), laminitis, and colic due to parasite damage.

11.7 grams Orally

1 hr

24 hr (Canada)

dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)

Applied topically as an anti-inflammatory agent, given IV to treat myopathies and increase urination.

19.8 grams topically

9 hr

36 hr (Canada)

72 hr (AAEP)

450 mg IV

 

96 hr (AAEP)

dipyrone (Novin®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

10 grams IV, IM

NA

120 hr (Canada)

15 days (ELISA test - AAEP)

flunixin meglumine (Banamine®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

450 mg IV, Orally

1.6 hr

72 hr (Canada)

72 hr (Australia)

15 days (ELISA - AAEP)

ketoprofen (Ketofen®, Anafen®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

1 gram IV

1.5 hr

48 hr (Canada)

72 hr (Australia, AAEP)

lidocaine (Xylocaine®)

Local anesthetic used to block nerves.

150 mg SC

1 hr

24 hr (Canada)

meclofenamic acid (Arquel®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

1 gram Orally

8 hr

48 hr (Canada)

72 hr (Australia)

mepivicaine (Carbocaine®)

Local anesthetic used to block nerves.

300 mg SC, IA

3 hr

48 hr (Canada, Australia)

naproxen (Equiproxen, Aleeve®)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

2 grams Orally

4 hr

120 hr (Canada)

phenylbutazone ("Bute")

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat colic and musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.

3 grams, IV, Orally

11 hr

96 hr (Canada)

120 hr (Australia)

procaine (Novocaine®)

Local anesthetic used to block nerves.

200 mg SC

2 hr IM

1 hr SC

48 hr (Canada)

procaine penicillin G

Combined with penicillin to make the antibiotic slowly absorbed from the injection site, to give it a long duration of antibacterial action.

4 million International Units IM

10 hr

425 hr (Canada)

Corticosteroids

betamethasone (Betasone®, Celestone®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

35 mg IM

NA

24 hr (Canada)

> 7 days (Australia)

dexamethasone (Azium®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

25 mg IV, IM

10 mg Orally

4 hr

24 hr (Canada)

48 hr (Australia)

144 hr (ELISA - AAEP)

flumethasone (Flucort®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

5 mg IV, IM

NA

24 hr (Canada)

isoflupredone (Predef 2X®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

24 mg IM

NA

48 hr (Canada)

methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

200 mg IA, IM

9 days

96 hr (Canada)

222 hr (ELISA - AAEP)

> 45 days (Australia)

prednisolone

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

150 mg IV

1.65 hr

24 hr (Canada)

prednisone

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

1 gram Orally

2 hr

24 hr (Canada)

triamcinolone (Vetalog®)

Anti-inflammatory; allergic reactions.

24 mg IM

2 hr

24 hr (Canada)

15 days (Australia)

 

 

30 mg IA

 

72 hr (Australia)

96 hr (Canada)

Miscellaneous Drugs

aminophylline

Opens airways in horses with "heaves".

1.5 grams IV

NA

96 hr (Canada)

theophylline

Opens airways in horses with "heaves".

6 grams Orally

NA

>7 days (Australia)

clenbuterol (Ventipulmin®)

Opens airways in horses with "heaves".

0.4 mg Orally

NA

72 hr (Canada)

dembrexine (Sputolysin®)

Expectorant for horses with "heaves".

150 mg Orally

NA

72 hr (Canada)

diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)

Antihistamine.

500 mg Orally

NA

48 hr (Canada, Australia)

isoxuprine (Vasodilan®)

Dilates blood vessels, used for treatment of navicular disease.

300 mg Orally

3 hr

36 hr (Canada)

weeks-months (ELISA - AAEP)

* IV - intravenous, IM - Intramuscular, SC - Subcutaneous, IA - Intra-articular (into the joint)

** No information available.