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Permitted Medications 

The following permitted medications may be present in a horse during competition:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs approved for use in Canada for horses: Flunixin meglumine, Ketoprofen, Phenylbutazone or Acetylsalicyclic acid, subject to restrictions below.

  2. Anti-ulcer medications: Cimetidine, Ranitidine, sucralfate or Omeprazole.

  3. Pergolide

  4. Altrenogest (for mares only)

  5. Firocoxib (by exception to la)

*Please note: some permitted medications can alter the detection times contained in the CPMA Elimination Guidelines (see Elimination Guidelines below).

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Only one non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug may be administered, if more than one is found in any sample, the test will be deemed positive for banned substances. Samples found to contain a permitted medication may be subject to quantitative testing.

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Restrictions relating to permitted medication are as follows:

MEDICATION

MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE PLASMA OR SERUM CONCENTRATION

Flunixin
Phenylbutazone
Ketoprofen
Firocoxib

1.0 microgram per milliliter
15.0 micrograms per milliliter
0.25 micrograms per milliliter
240 nanograms per milliliter

These are the dosing guidelines which will vary within the horse population. Dosages should be calculated according to the weight of the animal. These guidelines are calculated on a 1000lb or 454kg horse.

 

Phenylbutazone (Bute) -- Maximum daily dose is 2 grams not less than 12 hours before competition and for no longer than 5 consecutive days.

Firocoxib (Provicox or Equioxx) -- Maximum daily dose is 57 mg not less than 12 hours before competition and for no longer than 14 consecutive days.

Flunixin (Flunazine or Banamine) -- Maximum daily dose is 500 milligrams not less than 12 hours before competition and for no longer than 5 consecutive days.

Ketoprofen (Anafen) -- Maximum daily dose is 900 milligrams not less than 12 hours before competition and for no more than 5 consecutive days.

For more information, please visit Equine Canada's website: www.equestrian.ca and see the section on Rules and Medications​

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