Press Release CLENBUTEROL
Clenbuterol hydrochloride is a
beta-2 adrenergic agonist bronchodilator drug that acts on receptors in the lungs to relax the muscles of the lower small airways to cause dilation of these airways
Ventipulmin
® is the only registered product for the treatment of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) (also known as equine asthma) and other respiratory conditions in horses, characterised by constriction of the lower airways of the lungs.
Clenbuterol administration can be associated with some immediate adverse effects such as an increased heartrate, sweating and muscle tremors. In the longer term, clenbuterol administration is associated with potentially adverse effects on bone strength, sweating, the immune system, and the heart muscle.
One major side effect of regulatory significance is the effect clenbuterol has on a horse’s metabolism where it acts a repartitioning agent; it reduces body fat percentage and increases muscle weight, thereby mimicking the effects of androgenic anabolic steroids. These actions are interpreted as having a possible ergogenic (performance-enhancing) effect.
For this reason, it, and other such beta-2 agonists drugs, are classified by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) as an anabolic agent. It correspondingly indicated in the Rules of the NHA in Appendix M, as a Forbidden Substance.
These anabolic effects, Clenbuterol is not registered (it is banned) as a preparation and it not permitted for administration to racehorses in many, especially European countries, with others including Japan and Hong Kong. Within these countries the detection and prosecution of this substance therefore has a zero-tolerance, and it is effectively illegal if found or if there is conclusive proof of its use in the racehorse. There was a call to ban the use of Clenbuterol in horseracing worldwide.
The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa, and racing jurisdictions within especially Australia, have however called on the IFHA to allow its use. The NHA has not only been successful in much relaxing the original IFHA stance, the NHA also negotiated a generously practical protocol, now accepted and officially prescribed by the IFHA. This protocol to be followed when a racehorse is deemed by the treating veterinarian to be best treated with Clenbuterol.
While the involvement by the NHA ensured that this effective IFHA protocol is significantly more relaxed, convenient and easy to comply with by local racing veterinarians, the compliance to this protocol will be strictly enforced by the NHA, with non-compliance being acted on accordingly. With this enforcement the NHA complies to the current IFHA requirements for Clenbuterol, as detailed is Article 6D and 6E of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW). This IFHA compliance is of critical importance for the international acceptance (and recognition) of especially our racing product and our racehorses.
According to the above IFHA requirements for compliance, with effect from 1 MAY 2024,
1. The use of Clenbuterol shall be limited to horses which have a
documented clinical diagnosis of airway disease(equine asthma) indicating the need for its therapeutic use.
2. The diagnosis, as determined by a veterinarian, must be accurately recorded in the
Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR).
3
. Only Ventipulmin® Granules, which is registered for use in horses in South Africa, may be administered. No compounded medications shall be permitted for use.
4. It shall
not be administered for more than
14 consecutive days, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
5. A minimum
withdrawal period of 30 days shall apply between the last dose of a course of treatment and the day of the race.
6. There shall be
no more than two courses of treatment (each a maximum of 14 consecutive days) permitted in any 6-month period, with
an interval of not less than 30 days between courses
Where possible, alternative veterinary therapies and management tools should be used in place of Clenbuterol. These alternatives to Clenbuterol are just as effective, but with less systemic effects or side effects. Inhaled/nebulised treatments are far more direct and reduce the incidence of unwanted systemic effects.
Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medication) administered by the inhaled route are the most effective means of treating horses with IAD, with mucolytic agents used if required, in addition to environmental management to reduce exposure to allergens.
If short-term relief of bronchoconstriction is required, as an alternative to Clenbuterol there are other beta-2 agonist bronchodilator drugs and anticholinergic bronchodilator drugs available as inhaled medications such as Ipratropium and Salbutamol (Albuterol).
The NHA will continue to consider any further amendments to its Rules and policies concerning horse welfare, rider safety and integrity for all stake holders that may be required to ensure a level playing field for all.
We urge all stakeholder to visit the website
www.nhra.co.za
to familiarise themselves with all the latest updates and protocols.
Enquiries:
V MoodleyChief Executive
