With Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended for failing a doping test, here’s everything to know about the drug Meldonium and the benefits it can bring for athletes. Chelsea confirmed on Tuesday they had been contacted by the Football Association (FA) after an ‘adverse finding in a routine urine test’ with an investigation now set to take place regarding the Ukraine international.
![[RUSSIA-DOPING-MELDONIUM]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-539168330.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
Mudryk, 23, claims he is in ‘complete shock’ after testing positive for banned substance Meldonium – and denies ever knowingly using the drug. Players found to have intentionally taken a banned substance can be banned for up to four years under FIFA guidelines – but what exactly is Meldonium and who else has tested positive for it? Read on to find out….
![[Maria Sharapova Announces She Failed Doping Test]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-514192178.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
Sold under under the brand name Mildronate, Meldonium was initially designed in Latvia for use in animals. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) added Meldonium to their list of banned substances eight years ago. It was included on the list in 2016 because of ‘evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance’.
A study, published in Drug Testing and Analysis in December 2015, said Meldonium ‘demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system (CNS) functions’.
