| There are
some sports, such as athletics, where winning means a lot of money. Training is very hard
work and anything that can allow the athlete to improve his performance is bound to be
very tempting. Unfortunately, taking drugs may lead to addiction, serious damage to the
health and occasionally death. Anabolic
Steroids
The commonest form of drug used and detected is
something called anabolic steroids. This was the drug taken by the sprinter Ben Johnson
and photographs showed how his muscles were much bigger than before he took drugs. The
effect is not only that there is an increase in muscle bulk but also the drug seems to
have an effect on the brain, allowing the athlete to train longer and harder.
Anabolic steroids are related to the male hormone
testosterone and large doses in men cause the voice to deepen and an increased amount of
body hair to grow. Given to women, the results can be disastrous, deepening voice,
increased body hair and a shut down of the ovaries. In large doses some of the effects
cannot be reversed and can lead to permanent sterility, diabetes, heart disease and cancer
of the liver. Some athletes are therefore "Dying to Win".
Stimulants
The other widely used drugs are known as
stimulants. Commonly used are amphetamines (Speed) and Ecstasy. Caffeine found in tea,
coffee and cocoa is a stimulant but to reach the banned levels for this, you would have to
drink six very large cups of coffee in an hour or two but, be aware that some permitted
cold cures contain caffeine and, combined with drinks, can take you over the limit.
Stimulants delay the onset of fatigue and make
the person feel full of life and very confident. Unfortunately, they have a great effect
on the cooling system of the body, reducing the blood flow through the vessels under the
skin so that the body temperature rises. If this is combined with lack of fluid, the
temperature goes sky high and unless the person is cooled and given plenty to drink, the
heart rhythm becomes disturbed and death can occur.This has happened to a few athletes
and, most notably, Tommy Simpson in the 1967 Tour de France. The sudden deaths of people
at "raves" are usually due to a combination of ecstasy and overheating.
Although there are some athletes who are
cheating, by far the greatest problem is provided by sports people taking over-the-counter
cold cures, many of which contain a stimulant called ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine which
are also contained in some Ginseng and herbal teas.
More information Dr Shirley Emerson 01223
246166. |
Permitted
substances Asthma.
It is now necessary for athletes to obtain prior clearance from the relevant National
Federations or the IAAF before the use of asthma inhalers Salbutamol (Ventolin) end
Terbutaline (Bricanyl). At the time of writing other sports have not followed suit but, as
Track & Field is the major sport in the Olympics, may soon do so.
Antibiotics. All antibiotics.
Oral Contraceptives. All oral contraceptives.
The following products can be bought over the
counter at the Pharmacy and are safe - but beware - many cold cures and cough medicines
contain the banned stimulants, phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine
and pseudophedrine, all of which are banned ! Many herbal remedies contain these
drugs but are often not listed on the label. If in doubt, don't take them !
Pain Relief. Aspirin,
Paracetamol, Disprin, Nurofen, Panadol, Hedex, Solprin.
Anti-vomiting. Avomine, Dramamine, Joy Rides, Kwells, Marzine, Sea legs,
Stugeron.
Anti-diarrhoea: Arret, Imodium, Lomotil and electrolyte replacement
drinks Rehidrat, Dioralyte.
Cough and cold cures. Benylin Chesty Cough, Benylin Dry Cough, Copholco,
Cophocoids, Fabrol, Galenphol, Histalix, Mucodyne, Pavacol-D, Pholcomed-D, Visclair,
Wright's Vaporiser.
Beware: Benylin Mentholated contains banned pseudoephedrine·
Nose Sprays and drops: Otrivine, Rynacrom, Afradne, Sinex
Beware: Some nasal sprays contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine -- ask the pharmacist
Antihistamines:· Some antihistamine preparations contain ephedrine.
Ok ones are Daneral SA, Hismanal, Optimine, Dimotane (tablets only) Phenegarn, Piriton.
Pro Actidil, Semprex, Tavegil, Triludan, Zirtek.
A wall chart listing safe preparations and over
the counter medicines containing banned preparations by brand names can be obtained from:
Health Technical Services, 6 Sandfield Gardens, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8AR Tel/FAX
0208 653 4648 |
