Greetings, dear readers. The echoes of the doping scandal do not subside, attention to this topic continues, and the time has come to talk about the suddenly banned drug, which had previously been successfully used by many athletes for many years.
Meldonium in sports is the topic of my article today. It continues to be prescribed for various diseases, to combat nervous tension and fatigue, and has found use in bodybuilding. I will talk about what the substance does, when and how it can be used, and why it has fallen out of favor with international sports officials.
What is Meldonium
This is a drug first synthesized in the 70s of the last century. It is necessary to maintain the metabolism of human internal organs, primarily the heart and brain. Being a metabolic agent, Meldonium is able to normalize the metabolism of cells suffering from ischemia and hypoxia.
The drug is used for diseases of the cardiovascular system, is an integral part of the treatment of coronary artery disease, is used to support the body in the period after surgery, and can be used to improve performance and combat physical stress.
Compound
The lion's share of the internal content of the drug is meldonium, an active substance derived by scientists as an analogue of gamma butyrobetaine (which is independently synthesized by the body's cells). A synthetic substance of this kind has properties similar to those of a B vitamin.
The drug is used as:
- angioprotector;
- cardioprotector;
- antihypocanalosant.
History of origin
The first successful synthesis of a metabolic agent was carried out in the 70s of the last century in one of the laboratories of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. At that time, there was no talk of using Meldonium to improve human health.
The new compound was planned to be used in agriculture and veterinary medicine. With its help, scientists wanted to stimulate the growth of animals, birds and control the growth of plants. It quickly became clear that mildronate (as the medicine was called) becomes a cardioprotector in the animal’s body. After this, research began in clinical medicine. Since the mid-80s, the drug has received approval for medical use.
Is Meldonium a doping drug?
Based on the rules and requirements of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), Meldonium is a doping drug. It was added to the list of prohibited drugs on January 1, 2016. Prior to this, WADA inspectors had been monitoring its effect on the human body for some time. If an athlete takes part in professional competitions, he should not use the drug.
There is no consensus on whether Meldonium can be considered doping. Thus, in particular, the inventor of the substance, Ivars Kalvins, considers the idea of including Mildronate on the list of prohibited drugs absurd. Unlike steroids that can significantly improve an athlete’s performance, Meldonium does not have such an effect. Many experts note that there have not been proper clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of the drug.
Athletes who took the substance replaced it with L-carnitine, whose properties are similar. The question of what to replace the drug with was resolved very quickly, but before that a doping scandal broke out.
There are no prohibitions on the use of Mildronate in bodybuilding. Moreover, after the media began to actively talk about this drug, the interest of bodybuilders in it increased noticeably.
Efficacy of Mildronate
Mildronate works effectively not only for athletes, but also for ordinary people, both older and younger, the main thing is to decide how to take it correctly. The effectiveness of the drug is confirmed by numerous clinical studies.
Regular and correct intake of meldonium allows you to achieve the following positive effects:
- accelerate muscle recovery after exercise;
- increase the degree of removal of toxins from the body;
- accelerate cellular and tissue regeneration;
- relieve symptoms of physical fatigue;
- increase muscle tone of the body;
- normalize blood circulation in organs and tissues;
- speed up metabolic processes;
- reduce cholesterol;
- accelerate weight loss by increasing metabolic rates.
Doping scandal
Since January 1, 2016, the substance has been on the list of prohibited drugs. At that time, many Russian athletes were not aware of Mildronate’s inclusion in the list, continuing to participate in international competitions. Considering that the period of complete withdrawal of the drug from the body can take up to six months, residues of Meldonium began to be found in the analyzes of athletes.
Throughout the spring of 2016, dozens of Russian athletes (there were also foreign athletes) were found to have traces of a prohibited substance. Numerous disqualifications and revisions of the competition results followed. Many athletes were stripped of their medals and banned from participating in new sporting events.
Side properties of the drug
When deciding how to take mildronate, it is worth remembering the presence of side effects, the occurrence of which is typical for both athletes and ordinary people.
The appearance of such effects is not a common situation; their occurrence is rather an exception to the rule:
- a sharp change in blood pressure levels;
- the appearance of tachycardia;
- changes in the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- the appearance of allergic reactions;
- the occurrence of headaches;
- state of overexcitation.
When the drug is administered intravenously, the following reactions may occur:
- decreased blood pressure;
- feeling of general weakness;
- increased heart rate;
- the appearance of dizziness.
It is possible to eliminate sudden adverse reactions of the body by stopping the use of Mildronate and prescribing treatment according to the symptoms that arise.
Composition and release form of the drug
The drug Mildronate (the original drug, which contains Meldonium) is most often sold in the form of capsules or tablets with a dosage of 250 mg and 500 mg. Also on sale you can find solutions for injection into veins and into muscles. For children, Mildronate is available in the form of syrup.
Note that Mildronate is produced only in Latvia, however, many generics containing Meldonium are available on the market.
How does Meldonium affect the body?
The effect of the substance on the body is reduced to accelerating the movement of adesine triphosphoric acid (plays an important role in energy metabolism) and accelerating synthesis in cell structures. Meldonium has a beneficial effect on the functioning of body cells and their energy status. The pharmacology of the drug is manifested in:
- Improving blood circulation (which is especially important after strokes and coronary artery disease).
- Enrichment of cells with oxygen during the development of hypoxia.
- Slowing the necrosis of cardiac muscles during heart attacks.
The drug is very quickly absorbed into the blood. About 78% of the active substance reaches the site of action. When consuming Meldonium in capsule form, the maximum level of concentration in the blood occurs within an hour and a half.
Action of Mildronate
The action of meldonium is based on the normalization of metabolic processes in the human body:
- inhibition of carnitine production, due to which the processes of fatty acid oxidation are inhibited;
- normalization of physiological cellular processes;
- increased synthesis of gamma butyrobetaine, due to which there is a decrease in vascular spasm and an increase in the rate of their cleansing from oxides;
- providing oxygen to all tissues and cells of the body;
- organization of glucose oxidation, due to which the energy costs of cells are reduced;
- reducing the likelihood of cell accumulation of free radicals;
- increasing the contractility of the heart muscle.
Mildronate has the following effect on humans:
- Increasing the overall endurance of the body.
- Increased performance.
- Increased level of tissue immunity.
- Reducing the load on the heart muscle.
Why do athletes need Meldonium?
For a long time, Meldonium did not arouse any suspicion from WADA; many athletes included it in their diet. For example, as Maria Sharapova admitted, for 10 years she regularly took the drug as vitamins and there were no complaints from the anti-doping agency.
However, the drug gained popularity among athletes for a reason. Its beneficial effects on energy metabolism and stimulating effects on the nervous system have proven to be very useful during strenuous training conditions. The drug is also useful for combating mental stress.
It cannot be said that without Meldonium, playing sports becomes more difficult. The point is that during active training and performances the body does not have time to recover. Since the substance has a stimulating effect on metabolic processes, cells receive energy while spending less oxygen. The athlete's endurance increases.
The drug is often used by bodybuilders. The transmission of nervous excitation is accelerated, which in turn leads to accelerated work of muscle mass. Under significant loads, the body actively loses energy, and the concentration of fatty acids in cells decreases. Meldonium helps cells adapt to the lack of acid, prevents them from dying and maintains their functionality.
Use for weight loss
When considering the drug Mildronate for athletes and how to take it, it is worth remembering that it is also indicated for those who want to lose weight.
The action of the drug, in this case, occurs as follows:
- metabolic processes in the body are significantly accelerated;
- performance increases when exercising in a gym or gym;
- the body's adaptive ability to physical activity increases.
Weight loss by taking Mildronate can be not so much accelerated as facilitated. This happens by increasing the overall endurance of the body (which is very important when working in the gym) and increasing the rate of calorie breakdown. Meldonium works like its analogue, carnitine.
Indications and contraindications for use
Mildronate and its generics are indicated for use in:
- Heart attacks.
- Strokes.
- Ischemic disease.
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Insufficient blood circulation.
- Ophthalmological diseases.
- Heart failure.
- Diabetes.
Contraindications for use are:
- Kidney diseases.
- Increase in intracranial pressure.
- Hypersensitivity.
The drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Mildronate can only be given to children under 12 years of age in the form of syrup.
Is there any harm from Mildronate?
Mildronate, like any other drug, can bring not only benefits to the human body, but also harm. This is especially true for uncontrolled substance use. It is very important to carefully consider the list of contraindications for taking meldonium.
Those people who are not recommended to take it are primarily harmed by the drug.
Ideally, Mildronate should be taken under the supervision of a specialist who can promptly stop its use in case of any unusual reactions from the body.
Benefits and harms of Meldonium
In addition to the side effects identified by clinical studies and practical experience, the use of Mildronate does not have any harmful consequences. This does not mean that a healthy person should take Meldonium in everyday life. The scope of its application is quite clearly defined and there are specific diseases and disorders that it helps to cope with.
As for athletes, for them the drug is more of a vitamin supplement than a substance that can have any noticeable effect on athletic achievements. At least that was the case before WADA's decision. Indeed, this substance helps to cope with heavy loads and reduce psychological stress. However, I repeat, the effectiveness of the drug has not yet been scientifically proven; it cannot be unequivocally stated that Meldonium is a doping in the classical sense of the word. However, the drug is prohibited in big sports.
Storage conditions and periods
We looked at how athletes take meldonium. Storage of the medicine is allowed only in a dry and cool place. The temperature in the storage area should not exceed 25 ºС. If the conditions are met, consumer qualities are preserved for 4 years. A drug with an expired shelf life is not allowed for use.
How to take it correctly
The drug is taken under the supervision of the attending physician or trainer. You should be very careful when combining Meldonium with other medications, in particular nitroglycerin, with medications that lower blood pressure.
After taking the medicine, a person feels a surge of strength and health improves. In order not to experience problems with sleep, the last dose should be taken no later than 5 pm.
Precautionary measures
Long-term use can negatively affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. This is true provided that the patient suffers from kidney disease.
Directions for use and dosage
The drug is taken once or twice a day half an hour before meals or an hour before training (if we are talking about athletes). The dose is calculated individually: 15-20 mg of Meldonium per 1 kg of weight.
The course lasts from one and a half to three months, and you must take a break of one month.
Reviews about Meldonia
Before the doping scandal broke out, little was known to the general public about mildronate. It was prescribed for some diseases, and patient reviews remained largely favorable. Actually, nothing has changed in this regard.
In the world of sports, they knew about the drug, but it was widely used mainly by Russian athletes. Abroad, the main obstacle to distribution was the lack of information about it, and there were not enough clinical studies to prove its effectiveness.
At the same time, the drug was perceived, as I already said, not as a powerful stimulant, but as vitamins. It was rarely recommended for beginner athletes.
Opinion of doctors and cardiologists
On the part of doctors, there are no obstacles (except for contraindications) to the use of mildronate. The drug has proven its effectiveness in the treatment of heart diseases, in the fight against nervous tension, fatigue, and exhaustion. Many sports doctors also see no clear reason to ban the substance in professional sports.
What do doctors say about Mildronate?
Meldonium is surrounded by a lot of rumors and all kinds of controversy regarding its effect on the body, possible benefits and harm. However, throughout the history of its existence, the drug has not only helped to increase endurance in athletes, but also saved many lives of patients with problems of the cardiovascular system.
According to L. Makarov, professor, doctor of medical sciences, Mildronate has proven its positive effect over the years of use in sports medicine and cardiology.
The drug is actively used for its main purpose - to improve the abilities of the cardiovascular system, increasing its ability to withstand non-standard loads. Makarov notes that before WADA banned meldonium, many athletes actively took it and consistently received good results.
Cardiologist V. Ivanov notes the high effectiveness of the drug, both in the field of neurology and cardiology.
However, in recent years, the clinical effect achieved by it has become somewhat lower due to the deterioration of the quality of the drug.
