Nairo Quintana is one of the most outstanding cyclists in the world, according to his recent disqualification for the International Cycling Union (UCI) from Tour de France 2022 surprised thousands. The reason? traces of tramadol, a prohibited substance in official cycle races. Here we tell you what this medicine is and what it is for.
After learning that he had been withdrawn from the tournament, Nairo Quintana announced that he would not be competing in the Vuelta a España. “Right now I have no head and my body is not ready for competition. I prefer to return home to organize and prepare my defense,” he said in a statement, not knowing the use of this substance.
Here’s what you should know about tramadol and why its use in competition is banned.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is an approved drug used to treat persistent pain, whether moderate or severe. Therefore, its use allows the brain and nervous system to respond differently, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NLM) National Library of Medicine, and unsupervised use can lead to serious health problems.
Likewise, the NLM emphasizes that this opiate or narcotic can be addictive “if used for a long period of time,” so use of this drug must be closely monitored by a specialist. Additionally, they mention that long-acting tramadol tablets and capsules are used by patients who are expected to constantly need the drug for pain relief.
Why is tramadol addictive?
The main reason that tramadol is addictive is due to abuse of its use. As it belongs to the opiate group, it is also common for it to be addictive.
According to the NML, taking tramadol all the time can lead to addiction. Restricting intake without warning from a specialist can trigger a range of withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness, sweating, panic, difficulty falling asleep, chills and uncontrollable shaking of the body, among others.
How can you use tramadol?
This must be used at a minimally effective dose and administered by a specialist. This is because the treatment must always be monitored and any change specified in the prescriptions cannot be changed without medical supervision.
There are various presentations for their use. According to him General Council of Official Associations of Pharmacists of SpainThis product is available in healthcare facilities as controlled release tablets, injectables and capsules for oral use.
In addition, the National Library of Medicine warns that taking more tramadol than prescribed by your doctor or in a way that is not recommended can cause serious side effects or death.
Tramadol is a substance that can be addictive. Photo: Soho
What are the side effects of tramadol?
As we have already mentioned, the deadliest danger you would be exposed to from abusing this substance would be a number of serious side effects or death. However, there are other types of symptoms to look out for.
Some of those mentioned by the NML are headaches, nervousness, numbness, muscle tremors, mood swings, muscle tension, heartburn and indigestion. On the other hand, there are also other more serious ones such as hallucinations, nausea, seizures, unconsciousness, inflammation in different parts of the body and others.
In cases of overdoseSymptoms usually present as shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, slow heart rate and constricted pupils.
Why is tramadol banned in cycling competitions?
That International Cycling Union (UCI) prohibits the use of tramadol in tournaments of all disciplines and categories. This was done on March 1, 2019 “with the aim of preserving the health of runners, taking into account the side effects of this substance,” the UCI explained in a statement.