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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.12.009 Byline: Mei-Chich Hsu (a), Su-Fan Lin (b), Cheng-Ping Kuan (c), Wei-Lan Chu (d), Kuei-Hui Chan (e), Guo-Ping Chang-Chien (b) Keywords: Oxethazaine; Mephentermine; Phentermine; Athlete; Doping Abstract: The urine specimens of numerous athletes were found to be positive for mephentermine both in-competition and out-of-competition in Taiwan. The donor of one specimen claimed she had only taken Mucaine.sup.[R] (contains oxethazaine) for relieving symptomatic peptic ulcer and gastritis. Oxethazaine is not included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency; however, its metabolized compounds, mephentermine and phentermine, are included in that list. This study applied LC-MS-MS to analyze the excretions of three volunteers who ingested oxethazaine and presented positive results for mephentermine and/or phentermine. Thus, oxethazaine is the source of mephentermine and phentermine. Moreover, the results showed that 48 brands of gastric medicines containing oxethazaine were legally imported or locally manufactured in Taiwan, information which could be useful for limiting the misuse of oxethazaine by athletes. The data suggested that the sports associations should warn athletes about the risks of taking oxethazaine. Author Affiliation: (a) Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, 250, Wen-Hua 1st Rd., Kweishan, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan, ROC (b) Super Micro Mass Research & Technology Center, Cheng Shiu University, 840, Chengcing Rd., Niaosong Township, Kaohsiung County 833, Taiwan, ROC (c) Division of Biotechnology, Agricultural Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, 189 Chung-Cheng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 413, Taiwan, ROC (d) Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Rd., Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC (e) Graduate Institute of Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, 250, Wen-Hua 1st Rd., Kweishan, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan, ROC Article History: Received 4 August 2008; Revised 4 December 2008; Accepted 5 December 2008