Furosemide in focus after Pitchamon’s provisional suspension

Thai women’s singles badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has been provisionally suspended at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 after an out-of-competition sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for furosemide, a prohibited diuretic.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) reported that the sample was collected during an out-of-competition anti-doping test in Nagoya, Japan, on September 17. Furosemide was detected in the sample, resulting in the AAF and Pitchamon’s immediate provisional suspension while the case proceeds.

The provisional suspension is not a final ruling on an anti-doping rule violation, and the publicly available information does not establish how the substance entered her body or why it was present.

What is furosemide?

Furosemide is a prescription diuretic that increases the amount of water and sodium removed from the body through urine.

It is commonly used to treat oedema, or fluid retention, including in people with certain heart, kidney or liver conditions. It can also be prescribed in some cases to treat high blood pressure.

Furosemide is not classified as a stimulant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Instead, it falls under S5: Diuretics and Masking Agents and is prohibited both in and out of competition.

Why is furosemide banned in sport?

One reason is its ability to cause rapid loss of body water. The ITA notes that athletes can potentially use furosemide to shed water quickly, making it particularly relevant to sports in which competitors must meet specific weight limits.

Diuretics are also classified as masking agents because they increase urine production, which can affect the concentration of substances in urine samples. They may therefore be misused in an attempt to interfere with the detection of other prohibited substances.

For these reasons, furosemide is prohibited at all times under WADA rules. Athletes who genuinely require a prohibited medication for medical reasons must meet the applicable requirements for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Does furosemide improve badminton performance?

For a healthy badminton player, furosemide does not directly increase strength, speed, endurance or accuracy.

Its medical purpose is very different from the physical demands of badminton, which relies heavily on speed, repeated movement, coordination and precision.

Using a diuretic without an appropriate medical reason can also lead to excessive fluid loss. Furosemide can cause dehydration, dizziness and problems associated with changes in fluid and electrolyte levels, which could undermine rather than improve athletic performance.

No conclusion yet on Pitchamon’s intent

In Pitchamon’s case, the presence of furosemide has been recorded as an AAF**,** and she has been provisionally suspended, but the process has not reached a final determination.

There is currently no publicly confirmed information establishing where the substance came from or the reason it was present in her system.

Pitchamon also has the right to request the analysis of her B-sample under the anti-doping process.

The distinction is important: the detection of a prohibited substance does not, by itself, establish an athlete’s intention or explain how that substance entered the body. Those questions remain subject to the formal anti-doping process.

Who is Pitchamon Opatniputh?

Known as “Pink”, Pitchamon was born on January 4, 2007, and is now 19. She began playing badminton at a young age, initially receiving guidance from her father, Phiphat Opatniputh, before training under Kasemsak Jatuchinda.

She later entered the Badminton Association of Thailand’s development system and progressed to the Thai national team. Pitchamon also reached junior world No.1 in women’s singles in 2023 and has cited fellow Thai player Ratchanok Intanon as a role model during her development.

As of September 21, Pitchamon was ranked world No.18 in women’s singles.