Masking Drug Use
As previously mentioned, diuretics can be used to reduce
the presence of drugs in urine samples. Other compounds,
including Epitestosterone, plasma expanders and secretion
inhibitors, can be used to reduce the presence of banned
substances in blood samples.
Epitestosterone
Epitestosterone is a biological form of testosterone
that does not enhance performance. Drug tests for
testosterone typically measure the ratio of testosterone
to epitestosterone (T/E ratio). An athlete can inject
epitestosterone, lower the T/E ratio and hide the
use of testosterone. By itself, epitestosterone has
no real harmful side effects.
Plasma Expanders
Plasma expanders are substances that are used to increase
the fluid component of blood. They are used to treat
victims of shock, trauma and surgery. They include
Albumex, Gelofusine and Haemaccel. Athletes can use
these substances to dilute the concentration of banned
substances (EPO) in their blood. Most side effects
include moderate to severe allergic reactions.
Secretion Inhibitors
Many drugs and foreign substances have structures
that are shaped like organic acids. In the body, these
organic acids are removed by a protein in the kidney
that transports organic acids. If this protein can
be blocked, then these drugs or foreign substances
would not appear in the urine. These inhibitors include
probenecid, sulfinpyrazone and related compounds.
Doctors use these inhibitors to treat gout. However,
the drugs can be used to manipulate the results of
urine drug tests. Possible side effects include nausea,
vomiting, allergic reactions and kidney problems
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