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 ~ 992. 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. |