London, April 11 : Oxilofrine, found in the dietary supplement of former world record holder in the 100 m Asafa Powell, is a stimulant drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The Jamaican tested positive for the stimulant Oxilofrine at the National Senior Championships last June and has been slapped with an 18-month ban by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.

The substance is an amphetamine found in some dietary supplements and it was developed to treat low blood pressure, reports BBC.

The substance is said to allow people to burn fat faster and lose weight, which is why it is present in some so-called sports nutrition supplements.

But Wayne McLaughlin of Caribbean Toxicology told the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission during Powell's trial that Oxilofrine "does not improve speed". (IANS)