Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Drugs called beta-2 agonists, such as salbutamol,
salmeterol and terbutaline, open the closed lungs of asthmatics
and help them to breathe. They also increase the amount of fat
in the bloodstream to increase energy sources of exercising
muscles, help to preserve the muscles’ store of sugar, and help
muscles to contract with more force. The common inhaled
asthma medication called albuterol has been shown to improve
athletic performance.
These asthma medications are potent stimulants, so they
could cause irregular heart beats. It is illegal for Olympic
competitors to take albuterol pills. However, asthmatics need
their medications, so the Olympic medical committee allows
asthmatics to take these same medications by inhaler, provided
that a doctor informs the Olympic committee beforehand that the
athlete is an asthmatic and is taking this medication. Needless to
say, there are unprecedented numbers of asthmatics registered
with the Olympic committee and other authorities in sports that
monitor drug use.
September 15, 2006