Confusion over which drugs to prescribe for sports people

DOCTORS approached for advice on drugs in sport are often unsure which over-the-counter (OTC) medicines contain a banned substance, a survey has found. Of the GPs who took part in the research, 74% believed Sinutab contained a banned substance.

Almost 70% believed Benylin 4 flu contained a banned substance and 79% believed the same of Sudafed Elixir. Just over 50% believed Beechams Hot Lemon did not contain a banned substance.

Dr Philip Crowley, medical editor of Forum, the Irish College of General Practitioners’ publication which carried out the survey results, said prescribing OTC medications to athletes was “a minefield.” “There is a lot of ambiguity about some of the medications and the International Olympic Council’s position on things tends to evolve a lot.