Dexamethasone Administration Routes in Horses Compared

Study finds that dexamethasone (DXM) behaves similarly regardless of how it enters the horse’s body.
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Researchers recently evaluated and compared the absorption rate of the common equine anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing corticosteroid drug dexamethasone (DXM), finding the drug behaves similarly regardless of how enters the equine body.

Dexamethasone is prescribed to treat a variety of equine conditions, including arthritis, allergic reactions, and heaves. The drug is commonly administered orally (PO), intravenously (IV), or intramuscularly (IM), and its absorption rates via these methods has been studied. However, less was known about the absorption rate of DXM when it is administered intra-articularly (into the joint).

A team of researchers led by Lawrence Soma, VMD, Dipl. ACVA, professor of anesthesia and veterinary medicine at University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, recently performed a study, aiming to learn how DXM is absorbed by the body and how it affected naturally-produced hydrocortisone (HYD) production when administered through IA routes.

DXM and other corticosteroids suppress the body’s natural production of hydrocortisone, a hormone with many important regulatory functions within the body. "Continuous administration of corticosteroids will eventually shut off the secretion of endogenous HYD," relayed Soma. "They should only be given for seven to 10 days at a time

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Casie Bazay is a freelance and young adult writer, as well as a certified equine acupressure practitioner. She also hosts a blog, The Naturally Healthy Horse. Once an avid barrel racer, she now enjoys giving back to the horses who have given her so much.

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