Sudafed and Anti-Doping

Doug Herr

Question for any doctors in the haus:  I've been taking 60mg of Sudafed (pseudoephedrine version, not PE) four times per day for a week now, fighting off sinus congestion.  I'm doing Eagleman this Sunday and the WADA guidelines are:  " Pseudoephedrine is prohibited when the urinary concentration exceeds 150 microgram/mL."  Recongnizing that I'm an MOP'er and will likely never be tested, I still want to play by the rules.  Historically, I have switched to Sudafed PE a day or two before the race, but that version doesn't work as well for me.  Any ideas on how much of a concentration I might currently have in my system and how long before the race should I stop taking Sudafed to get below the WADA guidelines by race morning?  FYI I'm 5'11", 165 lbs.  Thanks for any help!

William Jenks

I would appreciate information on this, too. I rely on 12-hour Sudafed with real pseudoepheedrine to allay severe allergy reactions this time of year. I'm just a mess without it if the wrong mold/pollen/whatever is blowing my way. I take a normal dose of a single pill with (if I remember) 5 mg loretidine and 120 mg pseudoephedrine.

jwpicciotto

I believe that the concentration that you are using will cause a positive. The WADA guidelineis to address issues with cross contamination. It has a half-life of 9-16 hours, although some of the delivery mechanisms like time released, etc... may impact this. Not sure at what point you would drop below the threshhold.

William Jenks

Oy. Bummer.

Are the non-pseudoephedrine OTC allergy medications ok? I guess I will stop with the pseudoephedrine today and just hope that things don't get too bad. Like Doug, they don't work for me as well.

I'll post a dashboard note to see if anyone knows that too.

Doug Herr

if you go  to globaldro.com you can search on any drug to see whether it is bannned.  it looks like the sudafed pe drugs are fine

William Jenks

Thanks. I verified that if you type pseudoephedrine into it, you get the same thing that you posted above.

Gordon Cherwoniak

I know that this won't help for any close races but perhaps you should look in to a TUE (medical exemption).  Not sure how or if you can do this with Sudafed but I would assume for allergies it could be done.

 

http://ironmanpromembership.com/ant...formation/

 

Gordon

penlynwilson

You might talk with a pharmacist.

Dan Socie

Remember this is a hobby...if sudfafed gets you through a race then take it. It's not giving you a competitive advantage any more than your aero helmet. Breathe easy.

Brian Quarton [OLD]

Dan is right as usual, but you are legal if you take pseudoephedrine as it is directed to be taken. Never more than 240 mg a day or at a dose higher than recommended.
http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-Prohibited-list/WADA_Additional_Info_Pseudoephedrine_2010_EN.pdf

Coach Patrick

One caveat is that sudafed can create conditions where you have an elevated HR. Not bad day to day at your desk, but if you are trained to run 165bpms on the run in z3 at your HIM, and on sudafed that same z3 pace yields 180bpms....after 5 hours of activity, on a hot day...that could be a recipe for trouble. If you take it regularly you might be adapted, but just putting that out there... x100 to see a pharmacist

Brian Quarton [OLD]

Incidentally, this is an interesting study. Seems 60 mg and 120 mg are not ergogenic. 180 mg (6 little red 30 mg tabs) is enhancing and prohibited.
Pseudoephedrine Enhances Performance in 1500-m Runners
HODGES, KATE1; HANCOCK, SARAH1; CURRELL, KEVIN1; HAMILTON, BRUCE2; JEUKENDRUP, ASKER E.1
http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Fulltext/2006/02000/Pseudoephedrine_Enhances_Performance_in_1500_m.20.aspx

robin sarner

 Not the question you asked.  But.

Family doc here.     Not healthy to be taking decongestant regularly.     Should be for RARE use.   Increases bp and heart rate.    Is a band aide solution that is tough on the body and does not treat the problems.

Antihistamines.    Prescription steroid nose sprays.    Singulair.     Exposure reduction.     Saline nasal rinses.     Examples of ok treatments.

Doug Herr

Terrific info. everyone, thanks so much.

@Robin & Patrick:  duly noted.  I agree, you have to be careful not to use as a long-term solution.

@Brian:  that WADA guidance is exactly the info. I was looking for, thanks!

Bottom line, I'll discontinue use today and should be clean for Sunday.  Thanks again.

Dan Socie

Agree with Patrick and Robin...especially Robin

Yeah...if you are slamming 6-8 sudafed before a race like the NHL guys were doing before games thats bad news

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1011875/index.htm

For me 1 little sudafed can make all the difference in the world and i dont worry about WADA rules when i'm racing. i'm just enoying the ride.

William Jenks

I don't use the stuff at all for 80-90% of the year... then once every 2-3 days for a week or two...then every day for a couple of weeks, then once every 2-3 days for 2-3 weeks, then I'm done. It's over. Very seasonal. Just happens to be this season. :-)