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Terbutaline: level the playing field for inhaled β2-agonists by introducing a dosing and urine threshold

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-22, 02:48 authored by Glenn JacobsonGlenn Jacobson, Hostrup, M
Terbutaline, a short-acting β2-agonist similar to salbutamol, is widely used in Europe in the treatment of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Unlike salbutamol, terbutaline requires therapeutic use exemption (TUE) for therapeutic inhaled use in competitive sport. There is now compelling evidence that supratherapeutic use of terbutaline is performance enhancing, via oral dosing and inhalation. It is likely that the ergogenic effects of terbutaline are class specific for all β2-agonists. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has introduced dosing and urine threshold and decision limits for other common β2-agonists. This allows athletes to use these drugs for therapeutic purposes while minimising the potential for doping and administrative burden of TUEs. However, no such threshold limits currently exist for terbutaline. For terbutaline, athletes can be granted a TUE, then administer the drug via inhalation at supratherapeutic doses with impunity. The introduction of threshold dosing and urine limits for terbutaline should be a high priority, given the drug's demonstrated ergogenic effects.

History

Publication title

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume

51

Pagination

1323-1324

ISSN

0306-3674

Department/School

School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Publisher

B M J Publishing Group

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2016 Article author (or their employer). Produced by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd under licence.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other health not elsewhere classified

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