Equine Sports Council

Controlled Medications Library

ESC MEDICATION CLASSIFICATIONClass B - Strictly Controlled - PE Potential

ESC Medication Library · Revision 2

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Methoxyphenamine

Medication Facts

Performance enhancing
Yes
Total hours to clear
Not Published
Frequently used
Most Prescribed
ESC ID
METHOX-0564
Trade names
Orthoxide
Drug type
Bronchodilator
Plasma half-life · hours
Not Published
Equine dosing
Consult veterinarian
Cmax · peak plasma concentration
N/A
Tmax · time to peak plasma concentration
N/A
ESC concentration guidance
May not exceed (LDL) Lowest Detectable Level of .05 ng/mL or 50 picograms per mL
Primary withdrawal · hours
72
Washout withdrawal · hours
Not Applicable
ESC control type
B1 - Strictly Controlled - Conditionally PE
Medication report required
MED REPORT REQUIRED

Uses & side effects

Product-specific side effects await source review.

Drug interactions

Bronchodilator drug interactions in equines can dangerously amplify cardiovascular strain, trigger colic through gut stasis, or rapidly induce medication tolerance (tachyphylaxis). Because bronchodilators—such as \(\beta _{2}\)-adrenergic agonists (e.g., oral clenbuterol syrup, inhaled albuterol) and anticholinergics (e.g., N-butylscopolammonium bromide/HBB)—target smooth muscle receptors, combining them with other autonomic or metabolic drugs can trigger system-wide adverse effects.⚠️ High-Risk & Dangerous Interactions1. Sympathomimetics and EpinephrineThe Interaction: Co-administering \(\beta _{2}\)-agonists like clenbuterol (Ventipulmin) or albuterol with other adrenaline-mimicking drugs or emergency epinephrine.The Risk: This combination over-stimulates the horse's \(\beta _{1}\) and \(\beta _{2}\) cardiac receptors. It can cause a severe, life-threatening spike in heart rate (tachycardia), muscle tremors, severe sweating, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.2. Beta-Blockers (Propranolol, Sotalol)The Interaction: Concurrent use of a bronchodilator with systemic beta-blocking agents.The Risk: Beta-blockers directly compete for and block the same receptor sites that bronchodilators need to function. This completely neutralizes the bronchodilator's effect, which can lead to a sudden, severe, and catastrophic airway constriction (bronchospasm) in an asthmatic horse.3. General Anesthetics and HalothaneThe Interaction: Administering gas anesthesia to a horse that has active therapeutic levels of systemic clenbuterol or albuterol in its system.The Risk: Halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics sensitize the equine myocardium to the effects of catecholamines and \(\beta \)-agonists. This combination significantly increases the risk of severe ventricular arrhythmias and acute cardiac failure under general anesthesia.🔄 Critical Functional & Receptor Interactions1. Anticholinergics (HBB/Buscopan) and Gut MotilityThe Interaction: Stacking anticholinergic bronchodilators like N-butylscopolammonium bromide (HBB/Buscopan) or atropine with other medications that slow down the gastrointestinal tract.The Risk: HBB is highly effective at immediately arresting severe bronchospasms, but it works by blocking parasympathetic nerve impulses. Stacking it with other drugs that have anticholinergic side effects (like certain antihistamines or tricyclic antidepressants) severely slows down intestinal motility. This drastically raises the immediate risk of ileus and impaction colic.2. Corticosteroids (The Tolerance Prevention Effect)The Interaction: Long-term use of \(\beta _{2}\)-agonists alone versus combining them with a corticosteroid (like dexamethasone or fluticasone).The Dynamic: If clenbuterol is used as a standalone treatment for more than 14 consecutive days, the horse's lung tissues experience tachyphylaxis (the receptors down-regulate, causing the drug to stop working and actually worsening airway reactivity). Co-administering corticosteroids acts as a vital, positive interaction: the steroids actively prevent this receptor down-regulation, preserving the bronchodilator's long-term effectiveness.🚫 Regulatory and "Repartitioning" RestrictionsBanned Substance Risks: Bronchodilators face intense scrutiny from equestrian governing bodies like US Equestrian (USEF), the Equine Sports Council (ESC), and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).The Reason: In addition to opening the airways, systemic \(\beta _{2}\)-agonists exert a "repartitioning" effect—meaning they can act like anabolic agents to increase lean muscle mass and strip body fat. Because of this performance-enhancing capability, AQHA enforces a zero-tolerance policy for albuterol with a recommended 60-day clearing period before competing

Contraindications

Sanctioning-body comparison

Plasma only. Compare published competition guidance for this medication. ESC guidance remains in Medication Facts above. A dosing guideline, withdrawal recommendation and laboratory detection threshold are different measures.

Sources reviewed September 23, 2026. “Not verified” means a gap in this comparison, not zero tolerance or permission. Doses describe the cited rules; your veterinarian must determine treatment and withdrawal.

Published guidance by organization
OrganizationPublished dose & routePlasma concentrationWithdrawal / timingControl / penalty class
AQHA Show HorsesShow rules · 2026 handbook
Conditions & sources

An unverified entry is not permission to use this medication. Consult the linked current rules.

Reviewed 2026-09-23

Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Medication-specific control not yet verified.
APHA Paint Show HorsesShow rules · 2026 Rule Book
Conditions & sources

An unverified entry is not permission to use this medication. Consult the linked current rules.

Reviewed 2026-09-23

Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Medication-specific control not yet verified.
ARCI Model RulesRacing model · Rules 15 / UCG 20.0 / CTMS 4.2.1
Conditions & sources

An unverified entry is not permission to use this medication. Consult the linked current rules. ARCI model comparison only; no state-specific rule is substituted. Schedule timing is tied to its stated regimen and is not a clearance guarantee.

UCG 20.0 PDF p. 38

Reviewed 2026-09-23

Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Drug Class 3 · Penalty Class A. No dosing permission is implied by classification.
USEFNational Therapeutic Substance Provisions · 2026 + July amendment
Conditions & sources

An unverified entry is not permission to use this medication. Consult the linked current rules.

Reviewed 2026-09-23

Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Medication-specific control not yet verified.