FACTBOX-Banned drugs categories

(Reuters) - Main categories of drugs banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA):

*Stimulants - Substances which act on the brain stimulating the body both mentally and physically. They increase alertness, competitiveness and aggression and help to combat fatigue, making athletes feel stronger, more energetic and decisive.

Misuse of stimulants can increase blood pressure and body temperature and create an irregular heart beat. Consequences include cardiac arrest and strokes.

Stimulants can be contained in prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as in herbal and nutritional supplements.

Examples of prohibited stimulants: amineptine, amiphenazole, amphetamines, bromantan, carphedon, cocaine, ephedrines, fencamfamine, mesocarb, pentylentetrazol, pipradol, phenylpropanolamine, phentermine, salbutamol, salmenterol, strychnine, terbutaline.

*Steroids - Anabolic (body-building) steroids mimic the effects of the male sex hormone testosterone by stimulating the muscle and bone cells to make new protein. Athletes are able to train harder, longer and more frequently.

Steroids are used by doctors to promote recovery after major surgery and serious illness.

Because steroids duplicate the effects of a natural hormone they can lead to side-effects such as the development of male features in women, loss of fertility, impotence, acne and kidney damage. They increase blood pressure, harden arteries and increase the risk of heart disease, liver disease and certain forms of cancer.

Examples of anabolic steroids: androstenedione, nandrolone, stanozolol.