The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision of the NSW Rugby League Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a two-year ban on athlete Thomas Carr for the presence of prohibited substances and use of a prohibited substance. Mr Carr, who played for the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in the Intrust Super Premiership, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an in-competition doping control test on 28 July 2018 which detected the presence of 1,4-Dimethylpentylamine and Higenamine.

It was determined that on and/or before 28 July 2018, Mr Carr used the prohibited substance Higenamine. Mr Carr is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 8 September 2020.

Additional information on the prohibited substance

1,4-Dimethylpentylamine is only banned in-competition under the S6 classification of Stimulants. The substance is similar in structure to 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA), which can cause side effects including cerebral haemorrhage and heart attacks and has been linked to a number of deaths in Australia and overseas.

Higenamine is a S3 class Beta-2 Agonist (these type of substances allow lungs to take in more oxygen) and is prohibited in and out-of-competition. However, as a cardiotonic, Higenamine can increase heart rate, putting an athlete at an increased risk of arrhythmias and even death.

• This media release was published by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) on 8 January 2020. Click here for the original.