So I know there are lists of banned stuff, and my kid was told his multi vitamin was a level 1 risk so he quick taking it. He’s away at college and fighting allergy stuff. Is there a place to look that suggests what medicine is absolutely ok? And yes, he knows how to email in or ask his director - I’m just looking as mom so I know what might be good options. Thanks!
Pseudoephedrine is not banned but of course it is best to check with compliance director,etc.
If it’s not on the banned substance list, it’s ok
The trainers know what’s okay and what isn’t.
There is no one comprehensive list of banned substances that you will find, since drugs are modified and new ones come out all the time. For most legal drugs it is also not the medication itself but the dosage that is the problem (Illegal drugs are another story…) Typical allergy medicines are okay, and as others have suggested just have him tell the trainer what medicines he is taking in case there are any questions. The NCAA has a form to declare what prescription medications an athlete may be on, most are ok in the normal prescribed doses, and with a documented medical need. The trainers will know and the compliance staff/person is there to help for that very reason. There are athletes at all levels in all sports on needed meds for ADD, asthma, depression, etc. They declare what they are taking and document for what purpose, well ahead of any drug test.
Your athlete was likely advised to stop the multivitamin because it was not a name brand (Centrum, One a Day, etc.) and therefore the ingredients may not be verified to be free of any known problem medications. There are lots of supplements, “vitamins” protein drinks that anyone can buy at the local vitamin store, or supermarket that contain tons of items that are on the banned list. Supplements are not FDA controlled and the ingredients and doses of what is in them can vary significantly.
Even Muscle Milk that is sold in my supermarket contains enough supplements, that if you drink the equivalent of 4 portions in a day you will test positive. They even make a collegiate “NCAA approved” version for this reason. Most athletic departments give kids free protein and recovery drinks, his may also give vitamins if needed. Have him ask and just check with the trainer on anything else he may need. They may also suggest that he go see a team or university doctor to write his allergy prescription if he needs more than an OTC just to make sure everything is documented.
My son survives only with the help of Claritin and Flonase for at least 3 months of every year and now that you can get them without a prescription he does not full out any NCAA paperwork, but the trainer does keep a record of what he is taking.
His vitamin was a one -a-day, but it was the generic version and I bet he didn’t realize that when he asked. Good input. Thanks!