levamisole dewormer

[Jean]

Anyone out there using it? They say it is responsible for bad tests in Standardbreds? What would the performance enhancing be?

[K~2]

Levamasole has been noted for it's ability to boost the body's immune system. Quite often used in horses that have the 'snots'.

[mary syers]

This injectable cattle wormer was used on horses when it first came out, but at theraputic doses it causes neurological and psychological changes in the horse. It also has the same problem in horses as it does in cattle, in that the worms develop immunity quickly. So it may work well the first time and less so after that.
It is used in human medicine as a adjutant to chemo and radiation in colon cancer. It's used by Russian doctors in treating MS and its been touted as useful in all autoimmune diseases. It was tried as a immune modifier in EPM treatment, but no scientific research has been done as far as I can tell. We do know that in lower doses it changes the immune system by turning on the cell mediated immune system while turning off the the humoral(Igg) system. In high doses it supresses the entire immune system. This is accomplished by turning off IL-2 and turning on IL-18 at low does and lowering both at high doses. Mary Syers

PS It absorbs when administered orally like ivermectin.

[westover]

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I use to use it on a horse who had a mild breathing problem. It worked very well. I never had a positive test.. the horse was a show horse.. ??
Hadnn't hear about that re: Standardbred testing.

[Jean]

There were a bunch of positive test down east in Standarbreds