Frequently Asked Questions
The Answers
Q: Is there a complete list of banned dietary supplements?
A: Unfortunately, there is not a complete list of banned/prohibited supplements due to the ever-changing market. You can find your organizations banned/prohibited list under the Drug Program Information section.
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Q: What supplements do you recommend?
A: There are dietary supplements on the market that do not contain or list banned/prohibited ingredients. However, even if a product does not list a banned ingredient you should consider a couple of points. One is that the claims made by a manufacturer are not necessarily backed up by reliable, scientific research. Two is that dietary supplements are under regulated by the U.S. FDA. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the product’s purity or safety. Impure supplements can cause a positive drug test. Athletes are advised that the use of dietary supplements is at the user’s own risk. The REC DOES NOT recommend the use of any dietary supplement.
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Q: Can I take a product that makes claims to increase testosterone, if there is nothing listed on the ingredients list that is banned/prohibited?
A: A product that increases testosterone could lead to a positive drug test. If a product claims to increase testosterone, we recommend that you not use it. If the product works and increases your testosterone levels, the use of the product could lead to a positive drug test. If the product does not work, you will have wasted your money and time.
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Q: What Over-The-Counter cold medications can I take?
A: There are many OTC medications that are not banned/prohibited by your respected organization. Some of the more common ingredients found in cold medications that aren’t banned are pseudoephedrine* (ephedrine is banned by NCAA, MLB, NFL, PGA TOUR and all other National Governing Bodies), phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine and guaifenesin. There are many more that aren’t banned. If you have a question about a specific product or ingredient, please submit an inquiry to the REC.
If you are an athlete associated with a professional sport organization please go to the Drug Program Information section to find examples of approved Over-The-Counter medications to take.
*Pseudoephedrine is prohibited by the NFL except as properly prescribed by Club medical personnel.
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Q: If my doctor prescribes a medication that is banned, can I take it?
A: NCAA: The NCAA does recognize a legitimate medical need for certain banned substances and has an exceptions procedure. Keep in mind that a prescription is not a guarantee that a banned substance is ok to use.
Professional Sports Organizations: If you are an athlete associated with a professional sport organization please go to the Drug Program Information section to find examples of approved drugs to take. Please submit your prescription for review if it is not listed as an example.
High School Student-Athletes: Please visit the Drug Program Information section of your REC website for instructions or submit an REC inquiry.
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Q: How long does a banned drug stay in my system?
A: The amount of time it takes for a substance to clear one's system is dependent upon many factors. The drug that was taken, amount used, duration the product was used, body composition, and metabolic rate to name a few. Unfortunately we cannot give you a specific time frame on this question.
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Q: How do I log into the Resource Exchange Center (REC)?
A: Consult with your athletic trainer and/or staff to obtain information on log-in and password information. If you are an individual or organization that would like to subscribe to the REC please contact us at info@drugfreesport.com or 816/474/8655 Ext. 129.
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Q: How do I find out information on getting my product tested for banned ingredients?
A: The labs that we do work with do not conduct product testing because of the possible conflict of interest. The conflict that we speak of here is the lab doing both the test to prove that the product is free and clear of banned ingredients, and the drug test to screen for banned substances.
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Q: Why is caffeine banned by the NCAA?
A: The NCAA bans caffeine because it is found to be a performance enhancer. The 15 micrograms/mL cut-off is designed to eliminate individuals from testing positive for caffeine because of the “normal” amounts consumed from average dietary intake. The cut-off is not designed to identify the most caffeine one can consume and still avoid testing positive (e.g.; using a supplement for performance gains). Unfortunately, there is not a formula to calculate how much caffeine consumed would result in a urinary concentration greater than 15 micrograms/mL. Varying metabolic rates and time of consumption prior to urine collection are contributing factors.
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Q: I’ve heard the terms ‘false positive’ and ‘false negative’ used relating to drug testing. What do they mean?
A: The term false positive is frequently misused. The term false positive is often used when a person has a positive drug test, but didn’t knowingly take a banned substance or “illegal” substance. A true false positive would be an instance where a substance is identified incorrectly.
The use of a product that is contaminated with a banned substance and leads to a positive drug test is NOT a false positive. The banned substance was ingested and was correctly identified by the laboratory; such a finding is a positive drug test. For example, the use of a dietary supplement that contains 19-norandrostenedione could lead to a positive drug test for the metabolites of the anabolic steroid Nandrolone. In addition, the use of a medication that is banned and leads to a positive drug test is a positive drug test. Such a finding is a positive drug test - not a false positive.
Conversely, a term that is not used very often is false negative. A false negative is what a cheater is hoping for. A false negative is a drug test that is incorrectly reported negative. This means a banned substance was present in the urine but was not identified by the laboratory.
Drug Free Sport and the organizations it works with have taken many steps to ensure there are no false positives. One measure that is standard is using a split sample. By splitting the sample into ‘A’ and ‘B’ vials at a collection site, one specimen can be tested and confirmed twice. If the A sample is screened and confirmed positive for a banned substance, the B sample is tested. If the B sample also is found to be positive, the athlete who provided the specimen is declared positive.
The second measure that can be taken in relation to anabolic steroids is to use only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-certified laboratories for specimen analysis. Drug Free Sport only uses WADA-certified laboratories for steroid testing.
Truth be known, there are no false positives in sport when the correct measures are taken to ensure such.
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If your question has not been answered by our Frequently Asked Questions, please call 816.474.8655 or submit your question using our general inquiry form.
