Equine Sports Council

Controlled Medications Library

ESC MEDICATION CLASSIFICATIONClass B - Strictly Controlled - PE Potential

ESC Medication Library · Revision 2

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Naproxen,
Equiproxen, Naprosyn, Alieve

Medication Facts

Performance enhancing
No
Total hours to clear
72
Frequently used
N/A
ESC ID
NAPROX-0612
Trade names
Alieve
Drug type
NSAID
Plasma half-life · hours
14
Equine dosing
10 mg/kg of body weight (approx. 4.55 mg/lb). 1000# horse would get 20-25 tablets 225 mg each
Cmax · peak plasma concentration
44.2 μg/mL
Tmax · time to peak plasma concentration
2.5 to 3 hours
ESC concentration guidance
10 μg/mL and 15 μg/mL.
Primary withdrawal · hours
12
Washout withdrawal · hours
0
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

Using more than one NSAID concurrently (e.g., combining phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, or firocoxib) drastically increases risks of toxicity without increasing pain relief.Corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone): Combining NSAIDs with steroids increases the likelihood of gastric ulcers and severe GI toxicity.Nephrotoxic Agents: Avoid combining NSAIDs with aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin) or diuretics, as this significantly increases the risk of acute renal failure.Blood Thinners: Concomitant use with anticoagulants (e.g., heparin) increases the risk of bleeding complications.Dehydration/Pre-existing Disease: NSAIDs are more toxic when horses are dehydrated, septic, or have pre-existing kidney or hepatic disease

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

One permitted NSAID at a time. Flunixin emergency exception requires veterinary examination, reporting and 24 h out of competition. Guidelines do not guarantee a compliant result.

VIO404–406; VIO405.6

Reviewed 2026-09-23

4 mg/lb per 24 h orally (4 g/1,000 lb); up to 5 days.40.0 µg/mL12 hQuantitatively restricted therapeutic NSAID.
APHA Paint Show HorsesShow rules · 2026 Rule Book
Conditions & sources

APHA’s published dosing guidance is not a numerical plasma allowance. Government restrictions and all SC-085 conditions still apply.

SC-085.A.5

Reviewed 2026-09-23

4 mg/lb per 24 h orally (4 g/1,000 lb); up to 5 days.No numeric plasma limit stated in SC-085.A.No drug-specific precompetition stop time stated in SC-085.A.Listed permitted therapeutic substance.
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. 41

Reviewed 2026-09-23

Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Not verified for this medication.Drug Class 4 · Penalty Class C. No dosing permission is implied by classification.
USEFNational Therapeutic Substance Provisions · 2026 + July amendment
Conditions & sources

Therapeutic Substance Provisions only. One permitted NSAID at a time; additional permitted NSAIDs need the source’s 3-day interval. Emergency exceptions and other restrictions apply. Guidelines do not guarantee clearance.

GR410.4; NSAID guidelines

Reviewed 2026-09-23

4 mg/lb per 24 h orally (4 g/1,000 lb); up to 5 days.40.0 µg/mL12 hRestricted therapeutic NSAID under GR410.