Overusing asthma medication could lead to positive test
Overusing prescribed asthma medication is being highlighted as a potential problem in sport.
Even if an asthma medication is “permitted” or you have obtained a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) for a prohibited asthma medication, it must not be used over and above the prescribed amount or contrary to manufacturers’ instructions. There is a real possibility that puffing away on an asthma inhaler above the recommended dose could take you over the threshold.
Ventolin for example, is permitted without a TUE – but only up to a specified level in your system. If an athlete puffs on their Ventolin inhaler more than they should and the level of salbutamol in the urine sample exceeds the threshold, this could result in a positive test.