The drugs believed to have been found

What drugs were found in the ‘A’ sample?

According to yesterday’s reports, it’s believed Waterford Crystal had quantities of Fluphenazine and Zuclopenthixol in its system.

According to the Irish Medicines Board, Fluphenazine is authorised for use in humans in the management of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and organic brain disease, the disturbed elderly, severe anxiety tension states and personality disorders.

Other names for Fluphenazine are Moditen and Modecate.

It can be taken in pink, yellow or white tablet form, or by injection.

Possible side effects include stiffness, floppiness, shakes/tremors, eye rolling/blurred vision, speech/dribbling problems, excessive sweating and racing heartbeat. Appetite can also be affected and the drug can cause indigestion, nausea and vomiting and weight changes. Other possible side effects are hyperthermia, blood problems, dizziness, headache, sleeplessness and sensitivity to sunlight.

Equally patients may not suffer from any side effects. The drug is not recommended for use in children, during pregnancy, severe depression or epilepsy.

Zuclopenthixol is also authorised in humans as Clopixol and is for the management of schizophrenia and allied psychoses.

The drug works by slowing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels.

The FEI’s Medication Control Programme has reported several cases of tests involving the above substances in recent months. In horses, the drugs are used in low dosages to improve the manageability of “hot” (frisky, jumpy) horses. The drugs are sometimes used to calm horses when they are travelling.

Other substances which have a similar calming effect on horses, such as Acepromazine, Detomidine, Reserpine and Guanabenz, have also been discovered in horses by the FEI.

Guanabenz is not licensed for use in Ireland. It is an antihypertensive agent which acts in a similar way to clonidine (which is licensed as an anti-hypertensive in Ireland).

Reserpine is not licensed in Ireland. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and formerly was used to treat psychotic disorder.

Another of Cian

O’Connor’s horses, ABC Landliebe, tested positive following a doping test after the Rome show in May. Mr O’Connor has protested his innocence following the positive ‘A’ samples.

His solicitor Andrew Coonan said they did not accept the findings of the ‘A’ sample test.