title: Characteristics and trends of drug and dietary supplement inquiries by college athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the types of drug and dietary supplement inquiries submitted to the National Center for Drug Free Sport through the Resource Exchange Center (REC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  United States, from July 2009 through June 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Athletes and athletic personnel associated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tabulation and classification of drugs and dietary supplement inquiries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Characteristics and trends of drug and dietary supplement inquiries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inquiries for prescription medications for albuterol inhalers, methylphenidate, amphetamines, and prednisone were the most common using a drug lookup function. The most common inquiries for over-the-counter medications included pseudoephedrine, loratadine, cetirizine, and caffeine. Among dietary supplements, inquiries for amino acids/metabolites, vitamins and minerals, and herbal products occurred most frequently. One dietary supplement, N.O.-Xplode (Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition, Inc.), accounted for the majority of individual dietary supplement inquiries. Banned substances accounted for 30% of all inquiries submitted to the REC and 18% of medications searched in a drug lookup database.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost 25,000 inquiries were submitted to the REC. Pharmacists can use this information to advise, counsel, and refer NCAA athletes regarding the use of banned and permitted substances. Education programs regarding stimulants, dietary supplements, and the risk of using substances such as animal byproducts are needed, and pharmacists can participate in these programs.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of California, C-152, Box 0622, San Francisco, CA 94143-0622, USA. ambrosep@pharmacy.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.forename: Candy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsourounis
authors.forename: Frank D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Uryasz
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004300:Doping in Sports; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D024382:Professional Role; D013334:Students; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations