LIVE SPORT CHAT:Teen Athletes & the Abuse of Over-the-Counter Drugs

LIVE SPORT CHAT:Teen Athletes & the Abuse of Over-the-Counter Drugs

From baseball stars to Olympians, media coverage of elite athletes increasingly includes reports of the use of performance-enhancing drugs to gain an edge over competitors. These substances are usually taken to boost athletic performance, increase muscle mass and strength, and diminish fatigue. Teen athletes in high school and even middle school are taking these drugs, too. There are many reasons for this, such as frustration over being at a plateau in training or curiosity about the drugs' effects. Some young athletes also may use performance-enhancing drugs if they think that others (especially competitors) are using them - and if they believe that coaches and parents will look the other way regarding the use of such products.

Creatine - Creatine is a compound that helps muscles use energy and recover more quickly following exercise. Steroid precursors - Steroid precursors are substances that the body converts into anabolic steroids,Ephedra - Ephedra, also called ma huang, is a plant that contains two amphetamine-like stimulants: ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The concern about ephedra products was so great that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedra from being sold in dietary supplements in 2004. The scope of the FDA rule, though, does not pertain to traditional Chinese herbal remedies, so ma huang tea or other herbal products that contain ephedra can still be purchased. Some cold products also contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.