HMN 2025: How to Investigate the doubtless harmful results of two prescribed drugs on elite cyclists

University researchers are investigating the doubtless harmful and efficiency enhancing results that the painkillers tapentadol and dihydrocodeine may have on elite cyclists.

Led by Lex Mauger, professor of utilized physiology within the School of Natural Sciences, the research is being performed on behalf of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and will end in these medicine being added to its listing of banned substances in sport.

The study will run till March 2026, when Professor Mauger will report the group’s findings to WADA.

Although obtainable to the general public by prescription, the artificial opioids tapentadol and dihydrocodeine—each of which can be utilized to deal with average to extreme ache—include a warning that it’s unlawful to drive or function heavy equipment after taking them.

So, on condition that they’re doubtlessly addictive, have an effect on motor {control}, and confer a big analgesic impact, it’s assumed they may pose a threat to athlete well being and/or be abused as potential performance-enhancing medicine.

The group’s earlier work on tramadol was utilized by WADA as its main proof for putting tramadol on the 2024 Prohibited List, successfully banning its use in worldwide sporting competitors.

Professor Mauger stated, “Through a year-long randomized managed trial, we’ll study whether or not tapentadol and dihydrocodeine pose a threat to the athlete and their rivals by means of lowered {control} of their bikes (e.g. a bike owner with worse steadiness/{control} is extra more likely to crash) and whether or not they improve efficiency in an analogous technique to tramadol.

“Prior to tramadol being added to the prohibited listing in 2024, its use in biking and another sports activities was pretty excessive, with WADA’s Monitoring Program displaying that one in 23 doping controls examined had been optimistic for tramadol.

“The Movement for Credible Cycling and the Union Cycliste Internationale (the world governing physique for sports activities biking) raised issues with WADA about tapentadol and dihydrocodeine getting used as alternative medicine for tramadol. WADA’s Monitoring Program ought to present information on their present use in sport, which is able to complement the information we produce from this trial.”