Prednisolone

Medication Facts

Performance enhancing: Potentially
Total hours to clear: 504
Frequently used: N/A
ESC ID: PREDNI-0741
Trade names: Delta-Cortef
Drug type: Corticosteroid
Plasma half-life · hours: Does not process in equines
Equine dosing: No value in horses - does not metabolize
Cmax · peak plasma concentration: Unavailable
Tmax · time to peak plasma concentration: Unavailable
ESC concentration guidance: Lowest Dectable Level (LDL) 0.05 mg/mL or 50 picograms per mL
Primary withdrawal · hours: 12
Washout withdrawal · hours: 168
ESC control type: A1 - Generally Controlled - Therapeutic
Medication report required: Generally not required, however understand exceptions.

Uses & side effects

Product-specific side effects await source review.

Drug interactions

Corticosteroids in horses (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisolone) interact significantly with NSAIDs, increasing gastrointestinal ulceration risk. They also interact with diuretics (furosemide) causing severe potassium depletion, and with vaccines, as immune suppression reduces vaccine efficacy. Use caution with insulin, as steroids increase blood glucose and risk laminitis.

Contraindications

Veterinary guidance

Dosing and pharmacokinetic data are sourced from publicly available resources, and accuracy is not guaranteed. The dosing samples provided are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used for actual administration; they assume a single medication is delivered at the correct individual dose. Loading doses, or combinations with other substances to increase efficacy or mask concentration levels, are strictly prohibited. Veterinarians must prescribe all medications and determine appropriate withdrawal times based on the horse's health, administration route, drug strength, and timing. The health of the horse must always take priority over performance.

Medication combinations

Combining certain substances or use of can trigger dangerous interactions or contraindications, posing severe health risks or creating unintended performance-enhancing effects. If a medical treatment causes these interactions or alters performance, the horse must be withdrawn from competition until its system clears, or face an adverse drug test.

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
Organization	Published dose & route	Plasma concentration	Withdrawal / timing	Control / 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 2026 AQHA Handbook · VIO400–406 Current AQHA rulebook	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 2026 APHA Rule Book · SC-085, pp. 75–80 Current APHA rulebook	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 These numeric limits and times do not apply to flat/jump racing. ARCI’s flat/jump rules impose a 14-day intra-articular stand-down and prohibit corticosteroid stacking. ARCI model comparison only; no state-specific rule is substituted. Schedule timing is tied to its stated regimen and is not a clearance guarantee. CTMS 4.2.1 corticosteroid note; ARCI-011-020(F); UCG 20.0 PDF p. 47 Reviewed 2026-09-23 ARCI UCG 20.0 · April 2026 ARCI CTMS 4.2.1 · December 2020 ARCI Model Rules 15 · August 2026	1 mg/kg orally — harness only	1 ng/mL — harness only	48 h — harness only	Drug Class 4 · Penalty Class C. Harness-only CTMS threshold and timing.
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 2026 USEF Drugs & Medications Guidelines · August 10 update USEF July 27, 2026 update	Not verified for this medication.	Not verified for this medication.	Not verified for this medication.	Medication-specific control not yet verified.