Issue date
If you suffer from asthma and need to use an asthma inhaler, be aware that maximum thresholds exist and overuse could return a positive test. Many asthma inhalers contain Beta2-Agonists, which are prohibited in sport.
All athletes must follow the directions on the prescription label of the inhaler and, if an inhaler needs to be used more frequently than prescribed, please talk to a medical professional.
Ventolin, for example, can be used but only up to a specified threshold. If you puff on a Ventolin inhaler more than you should and the level of salbutamol in your urine sample exceeds the threshold, this could result in a positive test. A TUE (therapeutic use exemption) can then be applied for retroactively.
Prohibited
- Terbutaline (e.g. Bricanyl)
- Vilanterol (eg. Breo Elipta)
- Bambuterol (e.g. Bambec)
- Oral glucocorticoids (Prednisone, Prednisolone)
- Oral Salbutamol (e.g. Ventolin in syrup form)
Permitted
- Salbutamol (e.g. Ventolin, Respigen)
- Permitted but with intake limited to a maximum of 1600 micrograms over 24 hours. This threshold is not valid in the presence of diuretics. If you are using a diuretic you must have a TUE to use both the diuretic and Salbutamol. Refer to your doctor.
- Salmeterol (e.g. Serevent)
- Inhaled Salmeterol in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommended therapeutic regimen.
- Formoterol (e.g. Oxis, Foradil, Symbicort)
- Permitted but maximum delivered dose 54 micrograms over 24 hours. Refer to your doctor.
- Glucocorticoids (e.g. Beclazone, Flixotide, Pulmicort)
Visit https://drugfreesport.org.nz/asthma/ or call 0800 DRUGFREE for more information.
