Study: Lower Corticosteroid Doses Might be Beneficial
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Initial results of a study conducted at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center suggest accepted dosage levels for several commonly used corticosteroids might be worth further study.
At the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council's (KEDRC) regular meeting March 12 in Lexington, Jamie MacLeod, VMD, PhD, John S. and Elizabeth A. Knight chair and professor of veterinary science at the Gluck Equine Research Center, outlined initial results of a study that looked at the efficacy and dangers of methylprednisolone, betamethasone, and triamcinolone, which are used to treat ailing joints in racehorses.
The study concluded that the desired therapeutic effects of the corticosteroid treatments, especially methylprednisolone and betamethasone, could be accomplished at lower dosage levels than recommended by the manufacturer and commonly used on the backstretch. MacLeod said as dosage levels increase, more negative side effects were observed.
MacLeod said further study is needed to determine the proper dosage levels to use corticosteroids to treat inflammation and pain, but avoid negative side effects that include death of healthy cells in the joint
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