OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS, HERBAL TEAS CAN SPELL TROUBLE
FOR ATHLETES IN DRUG TESTS

Even competitive athletes who have no intention of using
performance-boosting drugs to cheat need to know what substances are
forbidden in their sport.

So says Dr. Lyn R. Frumkin, a physician crew chief for the U.S.
Olympic Committee who supervises urine testing of athletes.

Whether or not their exposure to a prohibited drug was inadvertent,
athletes who test positive for banned substances risk discipline and
disgrace. The innocent use of the wrong over-the-counter cold remedy
or an herbal tea can land an athlete in hot water.

Athletes therefore need to be familiar with the most up-to-date
information on substances that are prohibited by their sport's
governing body, Frumkin says.

The classes of substances banned by U.S. and International Olympic
committees and most sports governing bodies include stimulants (such
as amphetamines, ritalin, cocaine, ephedrine and even large amounts of
caffeine); narcotic pain killers (such as morphine); anabolic steroids
(such as testosterone, nandrolone, androstenedione and
dehydroepiandrosterone); diuretics; and certain hormones and growth
factors (such as human growth hormone and erythropoietin).

Several other classes of medications are restricted to varying
degrees, including alcohol, corticosteroids, local anesthetics,
beta-blockers and asthma medications.

Athletes must pay careful attention to the exact name of the
medication because many banned products have almost the same name as
those that are permitted. For example, Dristan 12-hour Nasal Spray is
allowed, but Dristan Nasal Spray, which contains the banned substance
phenylephrine, is not.

Some sports governing bodies ban different substances, which adds to
the confusion.

Drugs that slow pulse rates or reduce tremors may be allowed for
weight lifters and most other athletes, but they are forbidden for
archers and target shooters, whose performance they could enhance.

Athletes also must be cautious when using products from health food
stores. Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements contain
banned substances.

Athletes especially must be cautious with any product promoted as an
energy booster or performance enhancer, Frumkin said. Because these
products are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the
ingredients label on these products cannot be trusted.