WARNING: The information on the Controlled Therapeutic Substances List does not constitute and is not a guaranty, warranty or assurance that the use of any of the therapeutic medications at the dosage and withdrawal time listed will not result in a positive post-race test. These guidelines are based upon the administration of a single medication. Combining medications or using multiple doses of single medication may significantly affect withdrawal times.
Use of this information does not lessen or relieve any trainer’s responsibility for affirming that, during a horse race, a horse is free of any therapeutic medication listed in his or her state’s racing commission rulebook, and for complying with provisions of the state racing commission’s regulations.
Owners, trainers or any other persons responsible for the care of a racehorse are strongly advised to consult a veterinarian and the state racing commission regulatory veterinarian for guidance and advice on the use and withdrawal times of all therapeutic medications, as testing methodologies may change with little or no notice. The guidelines provided in this list are not consistent with foreign regulations or laboratory methods.
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All medications in racing are classified (Class 1-Class 5) based upon their potential to influence a horse’s performance and the welfare of the horse. All medications are also assigned a penalty class (Class A- Class D). Horsemen can consult the ARCI Uniform Classification of Foreign Substances list and Recommended Penalties Model Rule, maintained and updated from time-to-time by the ARCI, to determine a particular substance’s classification, as well as the ARCI Endogenous, Dietary, and Environmental Substances Schedule.
THE CONTROLLED THERAPEUTIC SUBSTANCES LIST AND GUIDELINES AS OF 1/1/20 IS:
Analgesic
BUTORPHANOL
(Torbugesic®)
Testing Threshold300 nanograms per milliliter of total butorphanol in urine or 2 nanograms of free butorphanol per milliliter of plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of butorphanol as Torbugesic®(butorphanol tartrate) at 0.1 milligrams per kilogram
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
Antihistamine
CETIRIZINE
(Zyrtec®)
Testing Threshold6 nanograms per millititer in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification 0.4 milligram per kilogram twice a day for 5 doses. Do not administer avermectins within 48 hours of racing if cetirizine is administered
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Do not administer any avermectin drugs (including ivermectin) within 48 hours of a race if the horse has been administered cetirizine as it carries an increased risk of a concentration of cetirizine in excess of the regulatory threshold.
Anti-Inflammatory
DMSO
(topical only)
Testing Threshold10 micrograms per milliliter of plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification 2 ounces topically administered
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Anti-Ulcer
CIMETIDINE
(Tagamet®)
Testing Threshold400 nanograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline24 hours
Dosing Specification 20 milligram per kilogram twice a day for 7 doses
Medication Class5
Penalty ClassD
Points0
Time to Expunge0
OMEPRAZOLE
(Gastrogard®)
Testing Thresholdomeprazole sulfide 10 ng per ml in serum or plasma
Withdrawal Guideline24 hours
Dosing Specification Single 2.2 gram oral dose of omeprazole as Gastrogard® for up to 4 days
Medication Class5
Penalty ClassD
Points0
Time to Expunge0
RANITIDINE
(Zantac®)
Testing Threshold40 nanograms per milliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline24 hours
Dosing Specification 8 milligrams per kilogram twice a day for 7 doses
Medication Class5
Penalty ClassD
Points0
Time to Expunge0
Bronchodilator
ALBUTEROL
(Proventil®, Ventolin®)
Testing Threshold1 nanogram per milliliter of urine
Withdrawal Guideline72 hours
Dosing Specification 720 micrograms total dose intra-nasal only. Based upon 4 administrations per day
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
Administration of albuterol other than via intra-nasal routes is not recommended. Use of therapeutic doses of oral albuterol even outside of the recommended withdrawal guidelines carries a substantial risk of exceeding the regulatory threshold
CLENBUTEROL
(Ventipulmin®)
Testing Threshold140 picograms per milliliter of urine or Limit of Detection in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline14 days
Dosing Specification Oral administration of clenbuterol as Ventipulmin® syrup (Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., NADA 140-973) at 0.8 micrograms per kilogram twice a day
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
GLYCOPYRROLATE
(Robinul®)
Testing Threshold3 picograms per milliliter plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of 1 milligram of glycopyrrolate as Glycopyrrolate Injection, USP (American Regent product #0517-4601-25)
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
Corticosteroid
BETAMETHASONE
(Betasone®)
Testing Threshold10 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline14 days
Dosing Specification Single intra-articular administration of 9 milligrams of Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Betamethasone Acetate Injectable Suspenion, USP (American Regent product #0517-0720-01)
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
DEXAMETHASONE
(Azium®, Dexium SP®)
Testing Threshold5 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline72 hours
Dosing Specification Intramuscular
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
ISOFLUPREDONE
(Predef2x®)
Testing Threshold100 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline14 days
Dosing Specification 10 milligrams total dose subcutaneous or 20 milligrams total dose in one articular space
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
METHYLPREDNISOLONE
(DepoMedrol®)
Testing Threshold100 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal GuidelineSee Dosing Specifications
Dosing Specification Total dose of methylprednisolone acetate suspension in one articular space. The recommended withdrawal for methylprednisolone acetate is a minimum of 21 days at a 100 milligram dose.
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Notwithstanding the ARCI recommendation, horsemen are strongly cautioned against the use of Depo-Medrol for a horse in training. A trainer who chooses to race a horse that has been treated with Depo-Medrol despite this warning should, at his/her expense, get the horse tested prior to entry to ensure that the horse will test below the regulatory limit, which is 100 picograms per milliliter of plasma or serum. See Mid-Atlantic Advisory.
PREDNISOLONE
(Solu-delta Cortef®)
Testing Threshold1 nanogram per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification 1 milligram per kilogram orally
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE
(Vetalog®)
Testing Threshold100 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline14 days
Dosing Specification Total dose of 9 milligram in one articular space
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Diuretic
FUROSEMIDE
(Salix®)
Testing Threshold100 ng per milliliter in blood and urine specific gravity < 1.010
Withdrawal Guideline4 hours
Dosing Specification Single Intravenous dose of furosemide up to 500 milligram
Medication ClassN/A
Penalty ClassN/A
PointsN/A
Time to ExpungeN/A
Expectorant
GUAIFENESIN
(Mucinex®)
Testing Threshold12 nanograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification 2 grams twice a day for 5 doses
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Local Anesthetic
LIDOCAINE
(Xylocaine®)
Testing Threshold20 picograms per milliliter of total 3-OH lidocaine in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline72 hours
Dosing Specification Single dose of 200 milligrams of lidocaine as its hydrochloride salt administered subcutaneously
Medication Class2
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
MEPIVACAINE
(Carbocaine®)
Testing Threshold10 nanograms total 3-hydroxymepivacaine per milliliter of urine or above Level of Detection of mepivacaine in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline72 hours
Dosing Specification Single dose of 0.07 milligrams per kilogram subcutaneously in the distal limb
Medication Class2
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
PROCAINE
(with Penicillin)
Testing Threshold25 nanograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal GuidelineFollowing entry to race
Dosing Specification Intramuscular at 17 milligrams per kilogram
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
Muscle Relaxant
DANTROLENE
(Dantrium®)
Testing Threshold100 picograms per milliliter of 5-hydroxydantrolene in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Oral administration of 500 milligrams of dantrolene in capsule formulation (Proctor and Gamble)
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
METHOCARBAMOL
(Robaxin®)
Testing Threshold1 nanogram per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of 15 milligrams per kilogram methocarbamol
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
An oral dose may be utilized but longer withdrawal time may be required to fall below the threshold. Trainers using methocarbamol orally for multiple days are encouraged to have the horse tested prior to entry.
NSAID’S
DICLOFENAC
(Surpass®)
Testing Threshold5 nanograms per milliliter in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Five inch ribbon topical application of 1% diclofenac liposomal cream formulation. (Surpass Topical Anti-Inflammatory Cream, IDEXX Pharmaceuticals)
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Horsemen are urged to avoid combining the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flunixin (Banamine®), Ketoprofen (Ketofen®), Diclofenac (Surpass®), Firocoxib (Equioxx®) and Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®). Only one NSAID can be present in a post-race test sample below established thresholds. If more than one NSAID is detected in a post-race sample above the established thresholds, it is considered stacking and is a medication violation subject to penalty. See
NSAID Stacking under Medication Alerts.
FIROCOXIB
(EQUIOXX®)
Testing Threshold20 nanograms per milliliter in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline14 days
Dosing Specification Oral administration of firocoxib as EQUIOXX oral paste at a daily dose of 0.1 milligram per kilogram for four days
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Horsemen are urged to avoid combining the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flunixin (Banamine®), Ketoprofen (Ketofen®), Diclofenac (Surpass®), Firocoxib (Equioxx®) and Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®). Only one NSAID can be present in a post-race test sample below established thresholds. If more than one NSAID is detected in a post-race sample above the established thresholds, it is considered stacking and is a medication violation subject to penalty. See
NSAID Stacking under Medication Alerts.
FLUNIXIN
(Banamine®)
Testing Threshold5 nanograms per milliliter in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of flunixin as Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) at 1.1 milligram per kilogram
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Horsemen are urged to avoid combining the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flunixin (Banamine®), Ketoprofen (Ketofen®), Diclofenac (Surpass®), Firocoxib (Equioxx®) and Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®). Only one NSAID can be present in a post-race test sample below established thresholds. If more than one NSAID is detected in a post-race sample above the established thresholds, it is considered stacking and is a medication violation subject to penalty. See
NSAID Stacking under Medication Alerts.
KETOPROFEN
(Ketofen®)
Testing Threshold2 nanograms per milliliter in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of ketoprofen as Ketofen® at 2.2 milligrams per kilogram
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Horsemen are urged to avoid combining the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flunixin (Banamine®), Ketoprofen (Ketofen®), Diclofenac (Surpass®), Firocoxib (Equioxx®) and Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®). Only one NSAID can be present in a post-race test sample below established thresholds. If more than one NSAID is detected in a post-race sample above the established thresholds, it is considered stacking and is a medication violation subject to penalty. See
NSAID Stacking under Medication Alerts.
PHENYLBUTAZONE
(Butazolidin®)
Testing Threshold0.3 micrograms per milliliter in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of phenylbutazone at 4.0 milligrams per kilogram
Medication Class4
Penalty ClassC
Points1/2, with incremental increases of 1/2 point for each additional violation within 365 days
Time to Expunge1 year
Horsemen are urged to avoid combining the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Flunixin (Banamine®), Ketoprofen (Ketofen®), Diclofenac (Surpass®), Firocoxib (Equioxx®) and Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin®). Only one NSAID can be present in a post-race test sample below established thresholds. If more than one NSAID is detected in a post-race sample above the established thresholds, it is considered stacking and is a medication violation subject to penalty. See
NSAID Stacking under Medication Alerts.
Sedative
ACEPROMAZINE
(Atrovet®, Notesil®, PromAce®)
Testing Threshold10 nanograms per milliliter as 2-(1-hydroxyethyl) promazine sulfide (HEPS) in urine
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of acepromazine at 0.05 milligrams per kilogram
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
DETOMIDINE
(Dormosedan®)
Testing Threshold2 nanograms per milliliter of carboxydetomidine in urine; 1 nanogram per milliliter of detomidine in plasma
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Single intravenous dose of 5 milligrams
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
XYLAZINE
(Rompun®)
Testing Threshold200 picograms per milliliter in plasma or serum
Withdrawal Guideline48 hours
Dosing Specification Intravenous
Medication Class3
Penalty ClassB
Points2 points
Time to Expunge2 years
Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
