Corticosteroids are a group of natural and synthetic analogues of the hormones secreted by the pituitary gland. These include glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, flumethasone and β-methasone. Synthetic glucocorticoids are commonly used in veterinary medicine as anti-inflammatory agents, and illicit use as growth-promoters is suspected. Dexamethasone is rapidly absorbed and excreted in urine and faeces, primarily as the parent molecule, tracer and inactive 6-hydroxy metabolites. Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic member of the glucocorticoid class of steroid drugs that has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects. It is 25 times more potent than cortisol in its glucocorticoid effect, while having minimal mineralocorticoid effect.