S7. Narcotics
What are narcotics?
Narcotics are derived from the opium poppy and include the commonly known painkillers morphine, diamorphine and pethidine.
Medical uses of narcotics
Narcotics are used in medicine to reduce moderate to severe pain.
Effects on performance
Narcotics have no ergogenic or performance enhancing qualities. Athletes use narcotics to mask pain caused by musculoskeletal injury, allowing them to compete and it is for this reason that they are listed as prohibited substances in-competition but are permitted when out-of-competition.
Side-effects of narcotics
The side-effects of narcotics are:
• nausea; • vomiting; • dizziness; • addiction; • hypotension (low blood pressure); • drowsiness; • mood disturbances.
Substances and methods prohibited at all times
