The first dual-action betamethasone product proven safe and effective in horses.

In the equine athlete, single or repetitive episodes of trauma to the synovial membrane and fibrous joint capsule commonly result in inflammatory synovitis and capsulitis. Inflammatory mediators resulting from synovitis can cause biochemical damage that leads to degradation of articular cartilage, resulting in osteoarthritis (OA).2 BetaVet® (betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension) is FDA-approved for the control of pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis.3

Please see Indications and Important Safety Information below.

The pivotal field study showed over 75% efficacy.3

  • BetaVet clinical success rate of 75.73% (n=87) compared to saline (control) clinical success rate of 52.52% (n=61)
  • Field efficacy study based on a negative control, randomized masked trial of 239 horses — BetaVet n=114; saline (control) n=115
  • Clinical success defined as improvement in one lameness grade, according to the AAEP lameness scoring system, day 5 after treatment

The most common adverse events included local swelling, mild increases in lameness, loose stool, increased heat in the treated joint, depression, anxiety, and inappetence.

BetaVet target animal safety (TAS) study.4

  • N=32 horses of various breeds and ages
  • Ages 2-18 years, 16 geldings/16 mares
  • Weighing 827-1219 lbs

A 3-week target animal safety (TAS) study was conducted to evaluate the safety of BetaVet in mature, healthy horses.

  • 4 treatment groups, n=8 horses per group
  • BetaVet was administered as an IA injection (left middle carpal joint) at (0X)* 0, (1X) 0.0225, (2X) 0.045, and (4X) 0.09 mg/lb, for three treatments, five days apart

*Control horses (0X) were administered saline at a volume equivalent to the 4X group

CONCLUSION

Treatment with BetaVet® was associated with dose-dependent injection site abnormalities (swelling, pain, and lameness). This study supported the FDA approval of BetaVet® when administered IA to horses in a maximum of 2 joints at a one-time dose of 9 mg per joint.

Learn more about the advantages of BetaVet in competitive athletic horses in our technical bulletin: BetaVet Use in Equine Athletes.

DOWNLOAD TECHNICAL BULLETIN

BetaVet® (betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension) 6 mg betamethasone/mL

For Intra-articular (I.A.) use in Horses.

INDICATIONS: BetaVet® is indicated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in horses.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS: BetaVet® is contraindicated in horses with hypersensitivity to betamethasone. Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids for local effect is contraindicated in the presence of septic arthritis.WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Clinical and experimental data have demonstrated that corticosteroids administered orally or parenterally to animals may induce the first stage of parturition when administered during the last trimester of pregnancy and may precipitate premature parturition followed by dystocia, fetal death, retained placenta, and metritis. Additionally, corticosteroids administered to dogs, rabbits and rodents during pregnancy have resulted congenital anomalies. Before use of corticosteroids in pregnant animals, the possible benefits should be weighed against potential hazards. Human Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: Corticosteroids, including BetaVet®, administered intra-articularly are systemically absorbed. Do not use in horses with acute infections. Acute moderate to severe exacerbation of pain, further loss of joint motion, fever, or malaise within several days following intra-articular injection may indicate a septic process. Because of the anti-inflammatory action of corticosteroids, signs of infection in the treated joint may be masked. Due to the potential for exacerbation of clinical signs of laminitis, glucocorticoids should be used with caution in horses with a history of laminitis, or horses otherwise at a higher risk for laminitis. Use with caution in horses with chronic nephritis, equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and congestive heart failure. Concurrent use of other anti-inflammatory drugs should be approached with caution. Consider appropriate wash out times prior to administering additional NSAIDs or corticosteroids. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Adverse reactions reported during a field study of 239 horses of various breeds which had been administered either BetaVet® (n=119) or a saline control (n=120) at five percent (5%) and above were: acute joint effusion and/or local injection site swelling (within 2 days of injection), 15% BetaVet® and 13% saline control; increased lameness (within the first 5 days), 6.7% BetaVet® and 8.3% saline control; loose stool, 5.9% BetaVet® and 8.3% saline control; increased heat in joint, 2.5% BetaVet® and 5% saline control; and depression, 5.9% BetaVet® and 1.6% saline control.

SHAKE WELL IMMEDIATELY BEFORE USE. For additional safety information, please see full prescribing information.

CAUTION:Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

  1. Trotter GW. Intra-articular corticosteroids. In: McIlwraith CW, Trotter GW, eds. Joint Disease in the Horse. Philadelphia, PA; W.B. Saunders, 996;237–256.
  2. McIlwraith CW, Frisbie DD, Kawcak CE, van Weeren PR. Joint Disease in the Horse. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2016; 33-48.
  3. BetaVet® (betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension), Package Insert. American Regent, Inc.
  4. Freedom of Information Summary, BetaVet® NADA 141-418.