Glucocorticoid cream applied at normal doses onto healthy equine skin will be quickly absorbed into the body's system and can generate adverse systemic effects, said German researchers in a new study report. As a result, it can also cause a horse to test positive in performance drug tests within two days.

When used to treat allergic skin reactions, glucocorticoids are usually given topically instead of orally to reduce systemic side effects. However, this new research suggests that the drug can cause such effects regardless of how it is administered, said Getu Abraham, DVM, PhD, researcher at the Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Leipzig University in Leipzig, primary author of the study.