Drugs in Sport

Erythropoietin (often shortened to EPO) is a naturally occurring hormone, secreted by the kidneys, whose function is to regulate red blood cell production. The use of EPO started in the 1980s as a quicker, cleaner alternative to blood doping. Testing for EPO only became possible in 2000, by using both blood and urine samples, prior […]

Ephedra is a shrub, native to northern areas of China and Mongolia and found mainly in dry desert-like conditions. It has traditionally been used in weight loss supplements, although has been removed from the market in the USA since 2004 over growing health concerns. There are various species of Ephedra, with some being more potent

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance, found in over 60 different plants and is a stimulant and mild diuretic. It is the most commonly used drug in the world as it is found in coffee, tea, chocolate (and chocolate-based drinks) and many carbonated and energy drinks. Up until 2004 caffeine was on the prohibited substances

Narcotics are derived from the opium poppy and include the commonly known painkillers morphine, diamorphine, and pethidine. Medical Uses of Narcotics Narcotics are used in medicine to reduce moderate to severe pain. Effects on Performance Narcotics have no ergogenic or performance-enhancing qualities. Athletes use Narcotics to mask pain caused by musculoskeletal injury, allowing them to compete

Human Growth hormone (hGH) is also sometimes known as somatotrophic hormone or somatotrophin. It is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for normal growth and development. hGH is anabolic, meaning it accelerates protein synthesis and also aids the metabolism (breaking down) of fat stores.  Medical Uses of Human Growth Hormone The uses of

What is Adrenocorticotropic Hormone? Adrenocorticotropic hormone is a polypeptide hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It is sometimes also known as Corticotrophin or Adrenocorticotrophin. ACTH stimulates the release of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and steroid hormones (or androgens) from the adrenal glands. Medical Uses of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ACTH is mainly used in tests to diagnose conditions of

Blood doping is defined by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) as the misuse of techniques and/or substances to increases one’s red blood cell count. Most commonly this involves the removal of two units (approximately 2 pints!) of the athlete’s blood several weeks prior to competition. The blood is then frozen until 1-2 days before the competition

Amphetamines are stimulants which act on the central nervous system to delay fatigue and increase alertness. Medical Uses of Amphetamines ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) Narcolepsy (a neurological condition resulting in disturbed night-time sleep and periods of excessive daytime sleepiness) Chronic fatigue syndrome (a poorly understood condition characterised by muscle and joint pain, cognitive difficulty, and chronic mental

The use of drugs in sports with the aim of improving performance is a major problem for sports governing bodies. This, however, is not a new phenomenon. Drugs have been used to enhance performance since ancient times. Greek and Roman civilisations used mushrooms and herbs to improve their performance. Later in the 19th-century substances including

Diuretics (sometimes called water pills) are drugs including Frusemide, Chlorothiazide, and Hydrochlorothiazide. Their purpose is to remove excess water from the body although each type of diuretic does this in a different way. Medical Uses of Diuretics Diuretics are used in the treatment of a number of medical conditions including: Hypertension (high blood pressure) Oedema