Salbutamol

ehhh.... wrote:

I have a salbutamol inhaler that was given to me by the doc a few months ago for a non-asthma related reason. Although I don't have asthma, if I used it before a race, would it benefit me in any significant way?

Yes. You'd run faster, esp in the last 400 meters.

raindeer milkshake wrote:

Yes. You'd run faster, esp in the last 400 meters.

Can you elaborate on this? Why do you think there would be a benefit, and why would it only be in the last 400m?

Explain wrote:

raindeer milkshake wrote:

Yes. You'd run faster, esp in the last 400 meters.

Can you elaborate on this? Why do you think there would be a benefit, and why would it only be in the last 400m?

Didn't say what you think I did, but why not google and look for things like:

I tried Googling it, and came up with all sorts of conflicting stuff. There appears to be solid research indicating that it does and doesn't help, depending on what article you bring up first.

This is why I posted about it here. I was hoping to at least find some personal experience from people who have experimented on themselves, along with some scientific research I may have missed.

If you don't mind me asking: What is the non-asthma related reason for using salbutamol - the only other main indication (in uk at least) is for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)...

If you have this condition then your running would certainly benefit from bronchodilation as the name suggests there is sever constriction/obstruction in your airways.

If you are using salbutamol for non-respiratory related disease (of which i can think of no good reason to be doing so) then the benefits will only be seen if you have some degree of bronchoconstriction ( a sort of pre-astham state) which is actually quite likely with modern pollution etc.

However this must be balanced with the side effects of increased heart rate due to the agonist effects on the heart also caused by salbutamol in some people.

If you are good enough to be entering USATF competitions, you better get a Theraputic Use Exemption (TUE) from the US Anti-Doping Agency. If you ever get drug tested, you will end up with a 2-year suspension (and forever have your reputation tarnished) if you take Salbutamol without first having this TUE.

While Salbutamol is likely not to be a performance enhancing drug in low safe doses one would normally take, it is banned by WADA, even for out-of-competition use, without getting the needed TUE. The TUE is fairly easy to get -- but only if your doctor signs a document testifying that you have a medical condidtion that requires the use of Salbutamol. This TUE needs to be renewed or re-applied for yearly.

Sounds like you would like to continue to use Salbutamol if it enhances your performance. That makes you a drug cheat. I hope you get tested.

Salbutamol is NOT performanc enhancing in the form taken by asthmatics.

It is the injectable or swallowable kind that steroid users use.