Dexamethasone 9, 11-epoxide is an impurity in the commercial preparation of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory compound approved by the FDA for several conditions, including arthritis, skin diseases, croup, brain swelling, and others.

Melengestrol is a steroidal progestin and antineoplastic agent which was never marketed. An acylated derivative, melengestrol acetate, is used as a growth promoter in animals. Melengestrol acetate (MGA) is one of six steroidal hormone growth promoters approved for use in Canada and USA. These products are used to improve growth rate and feed efficiency, as well as to suppress estrus in beef heifers (CFIA 2008). They are not approved for use in any species other than beef cattle meant for slaughter. MGA is the only drug of its kind that is administered in animal feed, and its labelled dose in Canada is 0.4mg per heifer per day (CFIA 2008). A mandatory withdrawal of 2 days before slaughter is applied to any animal that is administered MGA.

Melengestrol is a steroidal progestin and antineoplastic agent which was never marketed. An acylated derivative, melengestrol acetate, is used as a growth promoter in animals. Melengestrol acetate (MGA) is one of six steroidal hormone growth promoters approved for use in Canada and USA. These products are used to improve growth rate and feed efficiency, as well as to suppress estrus in beef heifers (CFIA 2008). They are not approved for use in any species other than beef cattle meant for slaughter. MGA is the only drug of its kind that is administered in animal feed, and its labelled dose in Canada is 0.4mg per heifer per day (CFIA 2008). A mandatory withdrawal of 2 days before slaughter is applied to any animal that is administered MGA.