Beta 2 Agonist: Therapeutic Use Exemption, Misuse in Sports and its Adverse Effect on Health

Background: The special approaches by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had adapted to beta2-agonists and the implications for athlete, these are reviewed by a former Olympic team physician who later became a member of the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee. Steadily increasing knowledge of the effects of inhaled beta2-agonists on health is concerned with the fact that oral beta2-agonists may be anabolic, and rapid increased use of inhaled beta2-agonists by elite athletes has contributed to the changes to the IOC rules. Since 2001, the necessity for athletes to meet IOC criteria has resulted in improved management of athletes. The prevalence of beta-2 agonist use by athletes mirrors the known prevalence of asthma symptoms in each country, although athletes in endurance events have the highest prevalence. The regulations for doping control prohibit the use of beta2 agonist bronchodilators (salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol, and terbutaline) unless the subject follows the procedure of therapeutic use exemption (TUE). Methods: Analytical methods was used for this article by reviewing relevant publications, primarily based on the online sports medicine journals available on Internet, Wikipedia, Elsevier, PubMed, Google Scholar, World Anti Doping Agency and National Anti Doping Agency online sources. Objective: This review provides an overview on therapeutic use exemption and misuse in Sports and its adverse effect on health, and to highlight that really this drug is drug should used only for asthma and bronchodilator treatment. Conclusion: Use of Beta -2 Agonist is in the list of prohibited substances of World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA); the use of Beta -2 Agonist is banned both in competition and out of competition and Beta 2 Agonist are usually tested by authorized anti-doping laboratories of WADA. Strict vigilance of fair play should be pursued, but excessive control can lead to situations of inequality for asthmatic athletes such that a third of athletes cannot be treated with beta2 agonists. Therefore under current regulations, asthmatic athletes are often denied the most effective therapeutic option. Beta 2 Agonist should be use under the medical condition otherwise it badly affects the health of user.