title: [Medication, athletes and doping regulations].
abstract: Doping is defined as an offence of the antidopingcode of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). To uphold the code WADA has composed a list of prohibited substances and methods. The composition of the list is based on three mainstays: fair play, health risks and spirit of the sport. Among the prohibited substances are anabolic agents, erythropoietin, beta2-sympathicomimetics, growth hormone and masking agents. For some medications athletes may receive a therapeutic use exemption. Enforcement of the antidoping-code is performed by doping controls. For this purpose, blood and urine samples of athletes are collected and analysed. In 2006 approximately 200,000 samples were analysed worldwide, with 1.96% being tested positive. All physicians should be aware of the possibility that athletes use medication subjected to the doping regulations. There are guidelines for physicians on doping-related issues in medical practice.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht Universitair Medisch Centrum, capaciteitsgroep Algemene Chirurgie, polikliniek Sportgeneeskunde, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht. f.hartgens@surgery.azm.nl
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hartgens
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000592:standards*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D013177:Sports / Q000592:standards*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D016482:Urinalysis