title: Weightlifting's risky new trend: a case series of 41 insulin users.
abstract: Use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is common among strength-trained individuals, and a growing concern is the misuse of insulin. A 99-item Internet-based survey was posted on discussion boards of various fitness, bodybuilding, weightlifting, and anabolic steroid Web sites between February and June 2009. A case series of 41 nondiabetic insulin users is described. The typical insulin user was 30.7 ± 9.2 years old, male (97.6%), and Caucasian/white (86.8%) who classified himself as a "recreational exerciser" (47.5%). The average insulin user also used anabolic steroids (95.1%) and practiced polypharmacy by incorporating 16.2 ± 5.6 PEDs in his or her yearly routine. Hypoglycemia was reported by most of the subjects (56.8%), and one individual reported unconsciousness. Insulin was obtained most commonly from local sources (e.g., friends, training partners, gym member/dealer; 40.5%) and community pharmacies (37.8%), with most (80.6%) finding it "easy" to acquire their insulin. Strategies aimed to prevent insulin misuse are needed.
authors: Touro University College of Pharmacy, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA. eric.ip@tu.edu
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Ip
authors: Mitchell J
authors: MJ
authors: Barnett
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Tenerowicz
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances