Athletes: Medications, Supplements and Safe Choices

One missed check or the wrong supplement can cost you a race, a roster spot, or your health. If you compete or train seriously, every pill and powder matters. This page pulls together clear, practical tips so you can manage medicines and supplements without risking performance, tests, or side effects.

First rule: always talk to your team doctor, sports physician, or pharmacist before you take anything new. They can check banned substance lists, advise on safe dosing, and help with drug interactions. If you don’t have a team clinician, use a trusted sports medicine service or ask a pharmacist who knows anti-doping rules.

Quick rules for safe medication use

Check the anti-doping list before any prescription or over‑the‑counter drug. Stimulants, certain hormones, beta-blockers, and diuretics show up on banned lists depending on the sport. If a medicine is necessary, ask about a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) early — don’t wait until the day of competition.

Avoid self-prescribing. Common choices like NSAIDs (ibuprofen) can help pain but cause stomach, kidney, or recovery issues if used long-term. Antibiotics should only be used for proven infections — wrong use raises resistance and can harm performance. Watch out for drugs that affect heart rate, hydration, or balance; even a simple allergy pill can cause drowsiness in some people.

Timing matters. Take medications and supplements at consistent times and test them in training, not right before an event. If something causes nausea, sleep issues, or dizziness during practice, it will likely do the same in competition.

Where to buy and what to watch for

Buy prescriptions from licensed pharmacies and verify online sellers. Look for a physical address, pharmacist contact, and clear prescription rules. Avoid websites that sell controlled meds without a valid prescription or push “miracle” products with vague labels.

Supplements carry contamination risk. Choose products with third‑party testing labels like NSF Certified for Sport, Informed‑Sport, or USP. These programs test for banned substances and verify ingredient lists. Keep receipts and batch numbers — they help if you need to trace a problem.

Watch interactions. Combining supplements with prescriptions can change how drugs work. For example, some herbal products affect liver enzymes and alter drug levels. Tell every healthcare provider what you take: vitamins, protein powders, herbal blends, and over‑the‑counter meds.

Finally, monitor your body. Sudden changes in sleep, heart rate, digestion, mood, or recovery speed after starting a medicine deserve immediate attention. If a medication risks your career or health, ask for safer alternatives or a TUE. Staying informed and cautious keeps you in the sport and at your best.