HUMAN BIOCHEMISTRY - L. V. Kapilevich - 2016

PART 2. FUNDAMENTALS OF SPORTS PHARMACOLOGY

ACUTE DOPING POISONING

The Use of doping agents can lead to various side effects, as these are highly toxic pharmacological substances. Acute Poisoning can result from a single overdose and requires immediate emergency measures before the arrival of an ambulance. A patient's life depends on it. Given the concise nature of this handbook, we will outline the primary symptoms and necessary medical interventions for acute doping intoxications (Table 17).

Class="center">Table 17. Main clinical symptoms and necessary interventions for doping poisoning

Doping Agents	Clinical presentation	Treatment Interventions
Narcotic analgesics: morphine, heroin, codeine, opium, promedol	Depressed consciousness, respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils, hypothermia, hypotension, extremity Muscle weakness, convulsions, pulmonary edema	Respiratory support up to mechanical ventilation (MV), intravenous (IV) bolus of naloxone, 2 ml of 10 % caffeine, 2 ml of cordiamine, IV 1-2 ml of 0.1 % atropine
Barbiturates: phenobarbital, barbamil, barbital, amobarbital, secbutobarbital, etc.	Various degrees of impaired consciousness ranging to unresponsiveness, absence of Reflexes, cyanosis	Prevention of Hypoxia and Shock. Detoxification measures aimed at accelerating the elimination of barbiturates, recovery from coma, respiratory and cardiovascular support
Alcohol	Various degrees of CNS depression. Fully absorbed into the bloodstream within 2 hours or more if food was consumed. METABOLISM rate is 30 g of 90° alcohol or 300 g of beer per hour. The main danger is respiratory depression. The lethal dose is 500 g of 90° alcohol. Prognosis is favorable if severe hypoxia is successfully overcome	Analeptics (caffeine, amphetamine, theophylline, etc.) do not aid sobriety or driving ability; gastric lavage is required, along with mechanical ventilation and other supportive measures if necessary
Amphetamines	Psychosis, hyperthermia, Hypertension, mydriasis, vomiting, diarrhea, arrhythmia, epileptic seizures, coma, respiratory arrest	Induce vomiting, perform gastric lavage. Oral or intramuscular administration of 50 mg of chlorpromazine, antiarrhythmic agents, phentolamine, and other medications
Strychnine, securinine	Respiratory difficulty, muscle rigidity and twitching, tonic seizure attacks, death resulting from asphyxia	Gastric lavage, activated charcoal, saline laxatives, 10-20 ml of diazepam, ether-oxygen anesthesia, mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular drugs
Ephedrine	Nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, hypertension, mydriasis, ventricular fibrillation, collapse, loss of consciousness, death	Gastric lavage, activated charcoal, Forced diuresis, 2.5 % chlorpromazine solution in case of seizures

Note. Poisoning by codeine, Diuretics, beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and other substances is also possible, though less common. Cases have been documented of sport shooters entering the firing line in an incompetent state after consuming alcohol.

The success of therapeutic measures provided by a sports physician largely depends on correct Diagnosis and pre-clinical treatment. Concealing the use of doping agents is unacceptable, as it can be fatal for the athlete.

Self-Assessment Questions

1. What is the clinical picture associated with a narcotic overdose?

2. What first aid measures must be taken in case of a barbiturate overdose?

3. What are the symptoms of alcohol overdose?

4. What Procedures must be performed in case of an amphetamine overdose before the ambulance arrives?

Last update: 06/08/2026

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