Meldonium in Sports: How Athletes Use It and What Actually Happens

People started talking about meldonium after a string of famous athletes tested positive for it. But what is this stuff anyway? Meldonium (also called Mildronate) was designed to help with heart issues like angina. It boosts blood flow, which helps muscles get more oxygen. Some athletes figured, “Better blood flow, better performance!” and started using it to train harder, recover quicker, and maybe get an edge their competitors didn’t have.

The thing is, meldonium wasn’t made for healthy people or Olympic hopefuls—it’s a prescription drug in places like Russia and Eastern Europe. Western countries don’t even sell it over the counter. So, why are athletes so into it? Well, it’s not just hype. Meldonium helps cells handle stress and fatigue, which can actually mean more stamina and faster recovery in some situations. That’s why athletes in endurance sports (like track, cycling, and tennis) got curious. Remember Maria Sharapova’s doping scandal? Meldonium was in the spotlight overnight.

But is it legal? Nope. Since 2016, meldonium’s on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list. If you test positive during a competition, you can expect disqualification, stripped medals, or even career-ending suspensions. The tricky part? For a while, people claimed it was just a harmless medicine. Then the science showed meldonium can change how an athlete’s body uses energy, especially under physical stress. Read: It’s not just a placebo.

Are there real health risks? If you’re healthy, popping meldonium isn’t risk-free. Side effects can include low blood pressure, digestive trouble, and unpredictable heart rhythms. WADA banned it because it gives some people an artificial advantage and carries unknown long-term risks, especially for people pushing their limits on the field or in the pool. There’s also the real chance of damaging your reputation, losing your spot on a team, and getting tangled in years of legal battles with sports authorities if you use it.

So if you’re looking for performance gains, is meldonium a miracle solution? Science says the benefits for healthy people are shaky at best and the risks—medically and career-wise—are much bigger than athletes might think. Most nutritionists, trainers, and team doctors warn against using it. Plus, there are plenty of safe, legal ways to improve endurance and recovery: smart training plans, good nutrition, sleep, and—yes—sometimes a lot of sweat and patience.

Heard of a friend or teammate using meldonium? It’s cheap and easy to get online, but ordering and taking a banned drug always carries a price. The bottom line: knowing what goes into your body is the first step to staying safe and staying in the game. Stick with science-backed advice and leave experimental substances to the lab—not the locker room.