Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review
In recent years, the off-label use of medications in sports has increased significantly, primarily driven by psychological and social factors. Athletes frequently misuse drugs without adequate medical supervision, relying on unreliable sources of information, which leads to improper usage and seriou...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Medicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/11/8/20 |
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| _version_ | 1850035569129684992 |
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| author | Vítor Silva Ricardo Madeira João Joaquim Cristiano Matos |
| author_facet | Vítor Silva Ricardo Madeira João Joaquim Cristiano Matos |
| author_sort | Vítor Silva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, the off-label use of medications in sports has increased significantly, primarily driven by psychological and social factors. Athletes frequently misuse drugs without adequate medical supervision, relying on unreliable sources of information, which leads to improper usage and serious health risks. This narrative review analyzes literature from PubMed<sup>®</sup> (Medline), Scopus<sup>®</sup>, and Web of Science<sup>®</sup> databases, focusing on studies up to December 2023, to examine the safety concerns related to off-label drug use in sports. The review presents an overview of the off-label use of pharmacological substances by athletes, focusing on both hormonal and non-hormonal drugs. Hormonal substances such as anabolic steroids and growth hormones, and non-hormonal agents like diuretics and β2-agonists, are frequently abused. These practices are associated with severe side effects, including infections, cardiovascular complications, hormonal imbalances, psychological disorders, dependence, and even cases of death. The study emphasizes the need for stronger regulation, public awareness initiatives, and preventive strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with this growing trend. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8eae2b99c711415eae8f690658bd6fed |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2305-6320 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicines |
| spelling | doaj-art-8eae2b99c711415eae8f690658bd6fed2025-08-20T02:57:27ZengMDPI AGMedicines2305-63202024-11-011182010.3390/medicines11080020Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative ReviewVítor Silva0Ricardo Madeira1João Joaquim2Cristiano Matos3Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Coimbra, 3004-561 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Farmácia, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Farmácia, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalPolytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Farmácia, 3046-854 Coimbra, PortugalIn recent years, the off-label use of medications in sports has increased significantly, primarily driven by psychological and social factors. Athletes frequently misuse drugs without adequate medical supervision, relying on unreliable sources of information, which leads to improper usage and serious health risks. This narrative review analyzes literature from PubMed<sup>®</sup> (Medline), Scopus<sup>®</sup>, and Web of Science<sup>®</sup> databases, focusing on studies up to December 2023, to examine the safety concerns related to off-label drug use in sports. The review presents an overview of the off-label use of pharmacological substances by athletes, focusing on both hormonal and non-hormonal drugs. Hormonal substances such as anabolic steroids and growth hormones, and non-hormonal agents like diuretics and β2-agonists, are frequently abused. These practices are associated with severe side effects, including infections, cardiovascular complications, hormonal imbalances, psychological disorders, dependence, and even cases of death. The study emphasizes the need for stronger regulation, public awareness initiatives, and preventive strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with this growing trend.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/11/8/20off-label useperformance enhancementanabolic androgenic steroidshealth risks |
| spellingShingle | Vítor Silva Ricardo Madeira João Joaquim Cristiano Matos Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review Medicines off-label use performance enhancement anabolic androgenic steroids health risks |
| title | Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Safety Implications of Off-Label Medication Use in Athletes: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | safety implications of off label medication use in athletes a narrative review |
| topic | off-label use performance enhancement anabolic androgenic steroids health risks |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/11/8/20 |
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