Public warning and Furosemide

This week the FINA Doping Panel decided swimmer Kylie Palmer from Australia (AUS) was given a warning and a reprimand after testing positive to the substance Furosemide (Class S.5 Diuretics and Masking Agents). The sample was collected during the FINA World Championships-Barcelona 2013. Furthermore, the FINA Doping Panel decided that all results achieved by the athlete on 31st July 2013 shall be annulled together with the consequences thereof (forfeiture of medals/prizes, reimbursement of prize money).

Only nine

Palmer is the ninth athlete to receive a public warning. 100 athletes has been given a two year suspension. The Australian swimmer is also the fourth swimmer to receive a public warning. Two swimmers has been given a six month suspension, while one has been given a four year ban. Six Brazilian swimmers has tested positive for Furosemide. India has registered the most cases involving this prohibited substance. 24 Indian athletes has been banned after testing positive for furosemide. Wrestling is the sport where most athletes test positive for this substance. 38 athletes has tested positive.

Diuretic

Furosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine. It is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and edema. It is most commonly marketed by Sanofi-Aventis under the brand name Lasix. It has also been used to prevent Thoroughbred and Standardbred race horses from bleeding through the nose during races. Along with some other diuretics, furosemide is also included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned drug list due to its alleged use as a masking agent for other drugs.