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KEDRC Cautions Use of Fluphenazine

Fluphenazine is an infrequently used drug that can act as a long-term tranquilizer.

Dr. Bruce Howard, equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

Dr. Bruce Howard, equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission

Anne M. Eberhardt

Meeting virtually Jan. 22, the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council recommended removing withdrawal guidelines for Fluphenazine and stated their intent to notify veterinarians of the unclear timeframe for how long the drug takes to clear a horse's system.

Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug that has been used in horses as a long-term tranquilizer. The Association of Racing Commissioners International classifies it as a Class 2 medication with a Class B penalty. ARCI recommends a 15-day minimum suspension and a $500 fine for a trainer's first offense when a horse tests positive for a drug in the B penalty classification, absent mitigating circumstances.

Kentucky had been recommending a withdrawal time of only seven days for the medication—an inadequate, outdated period for a drug that Kentucky Horse Racing Commission equine medical director Dr. Bruce Howard said he found in limited studies "persists for weeks in the horse."

Howard and Dr. Andy Roberts, a veterinarian on the council, said the drug is infrequently used. Howard told KHRC members he had not found any violations in KHRC records dating back to 2009.

Roberts advised Howard to notify practicing veterinarians, both at racetracks and within the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, to suggest horses treated with Fluphenazine within the last six months be tested prior to race entry.