Inhaled salbutamol and doping control: effects of dose on urine concentrations.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to examine the dose-response relationship of inhaled salbutamol and its concentration in the urine while resting at various times after inhalation, and to compare these values against the current World Anti-Doping Code limits.


METHODS
An interventional, repeated-measures design.


METHODS
Sport Medicine Clinic, University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada).


METHODS
Eight healthy, nonasthmatic males participated in this study (age = 28 +/- 6 years, height = 179.4 +/- 5.1 cm, and weight = 77.4 +/- 5.4 kg).


METHODS
Administration of three different doses of inhaled salbutamol (800, 400, and 200 microg) in a randomized fashion separated by at least 72 hours.


METHODS
Urine concentration of nonsulphated salbutamol


RESULTS
Urine concentrations were highly variable between subjects and increased as dose increased, with a significant difference noted between 800 and 200 microg at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after inhalation. Urine concentrations of salbutamol peaked at 60 minutes for all doses. No samples exceeded the doping criterion of 1000 ng/mL, and the maximum value observed was 904 ng/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that after inhalation of doses up to 800 microg, urinary concentrations of salbutamol are well below the limits used in doping control.
Sporer
Benjamin C
BC
School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. bsporer@cscpacific.ca
Sheel
Andrew W
AW
Taunton
Jack
J
Rupert
Jim L
JL
McKenzie
Donald C
DC
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*; D001955:British Columbia; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol