Lasix:
Lasix is not a hormone compound
but a diuretic. It belongs to the group of saluretics and to be
exact is a loop diuretic. Its effect consists of distinctly increased
excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium, and water. A very important
characteristic which must be absolutely monitored with loop diuretics
is the reabsorbtion of potassium ions, sodium ions, and chloride
ions. This causes a considerable disturbance of the electrolyte
household.
Due to its intense effect on water excretion Lasix is used for
treatment of edemas and high blood pressure. Bodybuilders use
Lasix shortly before a competition to excrete excessive, mostly
subcutaneous, water so that they appear hard, defined, and ripped
to the bone when in the limelight. The effect of tablets begins
within an hour and continues for 3-4 hours. Depending on how much
water is still in the athlete's body he must have more or less
frequent access to a restroom. This can cause a considerable weight
loss within a very short time. For this reason, athletes often
use Lasix to lose weight and to compete in a lower weight class.
Athletes usually prefer the oral form of the compound. Bodybuilders
occasionally use the injectable and intravenous version the morning
of the competition since it becomes immediately effective when
the athlete, due to a more or less strongly remaining water ifim,
begins to panic. This, however can also produce the opposite effect.
That is, the muscles become small and flat; the athlete loses
vascularity, and has no pump during warm-up when during a very
short time too much water and minerals are lost. It is thus possible
that some pro or top amateur shortly before the beginning of a
competition as a last countermeasure is seen with a bag of glucose
solution being injected intravenously so that the blood volume
rises again. In order to compensate for the potassium loss many
athletes take potassium chloride tablets. This, however, involves
a certain risk since an overdose of potassium can cause cardiac
arrest. In our experience, Lasix is taken in the last two days
before a competition. The amount of the dosage, the duration of
application, and the intervals of intake usually depend on the
diuretic effect or the athlete's shape.
Bodybuilders usually take a half or whole 40 mg tablet and wait
to see what happens. Some repeat this procedure once or twice
in an interval of a few hours. Lasix is the strongest diuretic
and the most dangerous compound in bodybuilders' arsenal of medicme.
Side effects can include circulatory disturbances, dizziness,
dehydration, muscle cramps, vomiting, circulatory collapse, diarrhea,
and fainting. In extreme cases cardiac arrest is possible. This
also seems to have been the cause of death for Austrian bodybuilder
Heinz Salimayer, who passed away during the 1980's, and for Mohammed
Benaziza, who died in October 1992. Extreme caution is advised
when athletes who are already substantially drained and dehydrated
continue their loop diuretic treatment with a "make it or
die attitude," or even continue the intake altogether with
a completely reduced liquid intake. ATTENTION: The 500 mg tablet
version must not be used under any circumstances by persons with
a normal kidney function. Loop diuretics are prescription drugs
and are only available in pharmacies. The compound Lasix by Hoechst
Company, for example, is sold in packages containing 20 tablets
of 40 mg each and costs about $10. |
