77 Over-the-Counter Drugs
Athletes need to be careful in regards to the over the counter drugs they use. These over the counter drugs should be tightly controlled by the team physician. Many of the drugs could be banned by the governing body of the sport and the use and testing positive for the drug could lead to disciplinary action up to a lifetime ban from the sport. Educating the athlete about the banned substances and what they can take is also necessary to ensure the athletes taking only those substances allowed by the governing body. The athlete’s primary care physician should also be aware of the sports an athlete is playing and of the substances banned by the governing body of the sport in order to assure that they are working in conjunction with the sports medical team to ensure the safe, legal, and ethical participation of the athlete when medical treatment is required.
- Over the counter drugs offered:
- Creatine. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in the body that is also sold as an over-the-counter supplement. It’s primarily used to enhance recovery after a workout and increase muscle mass and strength. Creatine is popular with athletes who participate in sports in which short bursts of power are required. Examples include football, gymnastics, hockey and wrestling. Side effects include weight gain, nausea and muscle cramps. High doses of creatine have the potential to harm the kidneys.