Furosemide Dominates Wrestling Doping Cases
June 06, 2025Furosemide accounts for 13% of all wrestling doping violations, making it the most sanctioned substance in the sport. The Anti-Doping Database records 65 furosemide cases from 499 total wrestling sanctions, with the diuretic leading ahead of anabolic steroid stanozolol at 52 cases.
India tops the furosemide rankings with 15 cases, representing 23% of all wrestling furosemide violations. This concentration occurs despite Russia leading overall wrestling doping with 71 total cases across all substances. Kazakhstan follows with seven furosemide cases, while Russia records six.
Male wrestlers account for 83% of furosemide violations, with 58 cases compared to 12 female cases. The gender split reflects the substance's primary use as a rapid weight-cutting tool before competition weigh-ins.
Two-year suspensions dominate furosemide sanctions, accounting for 43 of the 65 cases. Four-year bans follow with eight cases, while one-year suspensions account for six. The consistency suggests anti-doping panels view furosemide violations as serious infractions requiring substantial competition exclusion.
Out-of-competition testing reveals significant gaps in detection. Only three furosemide cases emerged from out-of-competition testing, representing just 5% of total violations. This low rate suggests wrestlers primarily use the diuretic during competition periods rather than in training phases.
The top ten countries for wrestling furosemide cases include India (15), Kazakhstan (7), Russia (6), Ecuador (4), and Azerbaijan (3). Uzbekistan and Serbia each record three cases, while Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Romania contribute two cases each.
Annual data shows furosemide cases peaked in 2016 with eight violations, followed by 2015 and 2018 with five cases each. Recent years show declining numbers, with three cases in 2021 and two each in 2022 and 2023.
Furosemide forces rapid water loss through increased urination, creating severe dehydration risks. Wrestlers abuse the substance for quick weight cuts before official weigh-ins, then attempt to rehydrate before competition. Side effects include kidney damage, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiovascular complications that prove potentially fatal during intense physical competition.
The substance remains banned both in and out of competition under World Anti-Doping Agency regulations. Its classification as a diuretic and masking agent reflects both direct performance implications and potential to hide other prohibited substances.
Wrestling's furosemide problem highlights systematic abuse patterns across multiple nations and competition levels. The concentration in specific countries and the low out-of-competition detection rate suggest targeted enforcement and education efforts may prove necessary to address the issue effectively.