Banned drug poses serious health threat
Clenbuterol is banned for athletes and the general public because it poses serious dangers to people’s health, according to WA Institute of Sport medical director Carmel Goodman.
The drug which Collingwood pair Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas tested positive to was previously used to help asthmatics.
Goodman said clenbuterol had become popular within body building and weight-loss communities, but warned it had serious side effects.
“It has been banned for years and not only for athletes,” she said. “It is just not available to be used as a therapeutic drug.
“It is banned because it has lots of side effects as does any anabolic agent, but in addition it is a stimulant.
“It increases your aerobic capacity. It can over stimulate the heart.
“It can cause heart failure, it can cause high blood pressure, it can cause muscle tremors and liver disease.”
Australian body builders Tony Spain and Joe Stramandinoli are currently serving two-year bans. Australian cyclist Michael Rogers was cleared last year after he proved he ate contaminated meat in China, but Spain’s Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title when he attemped to use the same defence.
Clenbuterol has been used in cattle to increase their bulk.
Although clenbuterol is not available in Australia, it can be bought online.
Goodman also warned that some supplement companies were including clenbuterol in their products.
Goodman also works as the team doctor for the Australian women’s hockey team and revealed players had been banned from using any supplements because the ingredients could not be verified.
“We are always, as drug testers and as a medical profession, unfortunately so far behind the pharmaceutical companies and the supplement companies,” she said.
“They are always finding more and more inventive ways to get all of these stimulants or steroids into our bodies.
“That’s why they know they are not allowed to take one single supplement, because we’ve got absolutely no control over what’s put into the supplement.
“If they promote it for increased muscle growth or weight loss, one of the potential things they may put into the supplement may be clenbuterol.”
