I am currently taking a pharmacy tech class and we get assigned drugs to do reports on. On the report there is a section where you can include things like weird side effects or off-brand uses or other interesting things about the drug you are assigned. I got assigned Lasix. I know that it is used at the track but would like to know more detail so I can include these in my report. I’m not looking to make accusations or condemnations just to use the information on my report.
Thank you for helping me get extra credit - 'cause I surely am going to need it at the rate I’m going! lol
Do you have access to the full text of medical journals? If so, I can send you links to several articles that will give you good background info.
Its used both in people and horses.
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Shouldn’t you be using sources you can cite?
The good, bad and the ugly has been hotly debated for going on 10 years now in the industry trades and a popular forum called the Paulick Report.
This is the link to the Paulic Report. There have been a number posts on the subject from both sides, for and against and the reasons why. With lots of people chiming in on their views. Most are Monday morning quarterbacks.
Do a search of these sites archives
https://www.paulickreport.com/
This is the link the main industry trade magazine The Blood Horse. Should be lots of articles on the subject.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/
This is the link to the Thoroughbred Daily News, TDN
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No, no access to medical journals. Just wanted to use the info about its use in the racing industry as an interesting tidbit to include on my report. Instructor likes little weird things - she thinks it shows we are taking an interest.
If this is about providing “tidbits” and you don’t need a formal journal reference or papers to review, then everything in the previous post will work well.
In humans, lasix is used as a diuretic for people that are retaining water for any number of reasons (heart failure, liver disease, etc.)
Yeah I got the humans part - many years in ER - just wanted use of Lasix in horses anecdotes. Will try links that gumtree posted.
Gumtree posted lots of good info. The cliff notes version is Salix as they call the equine version of the drug officially even though literally no one calls it that reduces blood pressure by reducing blood volume through urination.
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Lasix is used as a diuretic in racehorses to prevent “bleeding” (the rupture of capillaries in the airway) that can impair breathing and slow a horse during a race. In the US, each state has its’ own racing rules, so lasix is legal to use on race day in some states (Kentucky, for instance) and not legal in other states (New York).
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Nothing to add as far as racing goes but, OP, you can also mention that Lasix is used in dogs and cats for various reasons as well. My cat, Barney, spent the last several years of his life being treated with a host of pharmaceuticals to control his congestive heart failure. Lasix gave me a few more good years with my old friend.
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“Lasix, the medication allowed in every racing state except New York, will be legalized for use in New York on Sept. 1, 1995, ending one of the most fundamental disputes on drugs in horse racing”
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You’re soooo right!
I had a major brain spavin on that one, thanks for the correction, Gumtree!
Lasix has been scientifically shown to disrupt the calcium balance in horses for several weeks (IIRC) after it is used. We are the only racing nation that uses Lasix, and we don’t use it because horses NEED it–that is unless American horses are unusually prone to bleeding.
IIRC, it’s pretty much been proved to be a performance enhancer, and trainers apply for it for all their horses to level the field.
Hee hee - look at all the extra credit I will get. Thanks guys!!!
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I got a lot of extra credit and a comment about how informative my report was. Teacher stated that she had no idea about how this drug was used outside of regular human use. Thank you all!!!
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