Why Is Betamethasone Illegal In Horse Racing?

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid, meaning it’s a man-made steroid that resembles cortisol, a natural hormone produced by the adrenal gland. While legal as a therapeutic aid for horses, it is illegal when found in the blood on race day because it’s considered a possible performance-enhancer.

What does betamethasone do in racehorses?

use in Horses. INDICATIONS: BetaVet^® (betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension) is indicated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: BetaVet^® is contraindicated in horses with hypersensitivity to betamethasone.

Is betamethasone a performance enhancing drug?

(WAVE) – Betamethasone, according to equine medical experts, does not make a horse run faster. For that reason, it is not a performance enhancing drug in the strictest sense.

Are steroids banned in horse racing?

While steroids are not banned in horses in the United States, they are not allowed in horses that are competing in races; a delay of 60 days is a typical withdrawal period for horses that have been administered steroids.

What is the most common drug used in horse racing?

What drugs are likely to be abused—and why? One of the most contentious drugs in horse racing is furosemide, commonly known as Lasix. In humans, it’s used to prevent fluid retention for patients with heart failure, liver disease, or kidney problems.

What happens if you use too much betamethasone?

What happens if I overdose on Betamethasone Topical (Diprolene)? Long term use of high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What are the side effects of betamethasone?

Betamethasone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: burning, itching, irritation, stinging, redness, or dryness of the skin.

Is betamethasone a banned substance?

While betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory, is not a banned substance, the test showed 21 picograms (a picogram is one-trillionth of a gram) of the drug in the horse’s system, over double the legal limit in Kentucky.

Is betamethasone a strong steroid?

Most betamethasone skin treatments are potent. Your doctor will choose a steroid skin treatment for you based on the strength you need to treat your condition. A mild or moderate strength treatment is used for most skin conditions.

Is betamethasone an anabolic steroid?

Betamethasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of hormones your body makes naturally. They are not the same as anabolic steroids. Betamethasone works by reducing swelling (inflammation).

What happens if you give a horse steroids?

There are two main side effects that we worry about when treating with these drugs: infection and laminitis: Infection: because of their mechanism of action, steroids can suppress the body’s immune system. This means that the horse can be more prone to bacterial infection after injection.

What drugs are illegal in horse racing?

The following medication classes are generally banned from horse racing: anabolic steroids, peptide hormones and growth factors, beta-2 agonists, hormone and metabolic modulators, and certain diuretics. One controversial medication issue is the use of furosemide (Lasix, Validus) on race day.

What steroids do they give race horses?

Corticosteroids are often used to treat the injured joints or tendons of racehorses because the anti-inflammatory action relieves pain and supports healing. A study in Australia showed that one in five of almost 2,000 Thoroughbred racehorses in a study group had received a corticosteroid injection.

What drug makes a horse run faster?

Lasix also works as a diuretic that causes horses to urinate before a race and lose 20 to 30 pounds of fluid, thus increasing the ability of the horse to run faster.

Which drug is called The White Horse?

White Horse is a slang name for heroin and the song also mentions White Pony which is slang for cocaine.

What drugs calm horses down?

The most commonly used sedatives and tranquilizers in horses are:

• Xylazine. Xylazine is a common equine sedative.
• Romifidine. Romifidine is an alpha-2 agonist that is similar to xylazine but with longer duration and less associated ataxia.
• Detomidine.
• Acepromazine.
• Diazepam and Midazolam.

Who should not use betamethasone?

Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully. Use in children 12 years of age and younger is not recommended.

Is betamethasone harmful to humans?

Infection risk warning: Steroids such as betamethasone suppress your body’s immune system. This makes it harder for you to fight infections. Long-term use of betamethasone and using it in higher doses may increase your chances of getting an infection. It may also hide the symptoms of any infection you may have.

What is the strongest betamethasone?

The highest potency topical steroids include:

• Temovate (clobetasol propionate) 0.05% ointment.
• Ultravate (halobetasol propionate) 0.05% cream, ointment, or lotion.
• Psorcon (diflorasone diacetate) 0.05% ointment.
• Diprolene (betamethasone dipropionate) 0.05% ointment or gel.

How strong is betamethasone?

How long does betamethasone stay in your body?

Betamethasone belongs to the glucocorticoid class of medication. It is a stereoisomer of dexamethasone, the two compounds differing only in the spatial configuration of the methyl group at position 16 (see steroid nomenclature).
Betamethasone.