Haryana Wrestler Lands in ICU After Taking 'Stamina Shot'
In the high-stakes world of Haryana's wrestling arenas, where matches can drag on for 30 to 40 minutes or more, the demand for endurance and strength is immense. For a 35-year-old wrestler from the region, this pressure culminated in a life-threatening decision: he injected himself with a drug called Termin, marketed as a performance enhancer. Months later, he collapsed and was rushed to the cardiology unit at AIIMS Delhi, where doctors discovered a large blood clot in his heart, leading to severe heart failure.
The Dangerous Drug: Mephentermine Sulphate
Termin contains mephentermine sulphate, a prescription medication intended for treating low blood pressure in clinical settings, such as during spinal or general anaesthesia. It is administered via intravenous or intramuscular injections in hospitals. However, outside medical facilities, this drug has been illicitly repurposed as a stimulant among athletes seeking to boost stamina, alertness, and aggression during competitions.
"I had been wrestling for 20 years. Everyone around me was using what we were told is a power booster," the wrestler recounted, explaining how he was influenced by peers. "You go to any medical shop, say you want to perform better, and they suggest it." This easy access, despite the drug being prescription-only, is facilitated by inadequate monitoring of pharmacies and informal sales channels.
How the Drug Harms the Heart
Doctors at AIIMS Delhi, including Dr. Ambuj Roy, professor of cardiology, warn that mephentermine induces the release of norepinephrine, a stress hormone that stimulates the central nervous system and heart. This results in a temporary spike in blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output, creating a false sense of energy. "The body feels powerful, but it's borrowed power," says Dr. Roy. "You are pushing the heart beyond its safe limits, damaging it in the process."
The wrestler's misuse escalated from small doses to several millilitres daily over months, with injections directly into his veins. This led to symptoms like extreme fatigue, bloating, headaches, and an inability to train without the drug. In December, he passed out and was admitted to the ICU, where tests revealed his heart function had dropped to around 20%, indicative of severe cardiac failure.
Under-Recognized Risks and Regulatory Gaps
Mephentermine sulphate is a licensed medicine but not classified as a narcotic under the NDPS Act, which limits regulatory scrutiny. Its risks to heart health are often overlooked compared to anabolic steroids or narcotics, allowing continued misuse. Although banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, anti-doping rules do not effectively regulate community-level access, leaving athletes vulnerable.
Dr. Sourabh Agastam, assistant professor of cardiology at AIIMS Delhi, treated the wrestler and noted this as his third case of mephentermine abuse, with few such incidents documented in medical literature. "Clots originating in the left side of the heart can be pumped into arteries, potentially reaching the legs," he explained, detailing the wrestler's treatment with heart failure medications and blood thinners that led to improvement.
Call for Stricter Regulations and Awareness
Dr. Roy emphasizes the severe consequences of mephentermine abuse, including hypertension, arrhythmias, strokes, heart failure, and sudden death, especially during intense physical exertion. "It can lead to heart problems in young individuals with an otherwise low cardiovascular risk," he adds.
The wrestler, now recovering, has been advised to rely on natural nutrition and rest, with doctors warning that further stimulant use could be fatal. Reflecting on his ordeal, he said, "If I had used this earlier, I would not have been able to wrestle for 20 years."
Dr. Roy advocates for stricter scheduling of the drug, pharmacy audits, and targeted education for athletes, trainers, and clinicians. "Seeing the rampant abuse, it may be a case of moving from Schedule H to Schedule X," he suggests, highlighting the need for enhanced regulatory measures to prevent similar tragedies.
