Last Updated on February 25, 2022 by Allison Price
Although the drug initially decreased airway sensitivity in the beginning, it seems to have a reduced effectiveness over time.
Researchers have not conclusively determined whether supplementing horses with DMG offers these beneficial impacts.
Clenbuterol is a beta-2-adrenoceptor antagonist and the FDA’s only approved medication for horses suffering from reversible asthma. It is also commonly used to treat horses suffering from inflammatory airway disease (IAD), recurrent bronchospasm (RAO) or heaves. It is frequently administered to racehorses during the racing season. However, its long-term effects remain unclear.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center conducted a study to this end. They found that while clenbuterol initially reduces airway sensitivity for inhaled histamines but that long-term usage can lead to decreased bronchoprotective effectiveness.
Rose NolenWalston, DVM assistant professor in PennVet’s Department of Clinical Sciences, stated that “many horses, especially race horses,” receive clenbuterol daily.
