Online meldonium sales have 'used by Maria Sharapova' in product descriptions

Maria Sharapova may no longer be hawking shoes for Nike, watches for TAG Heuer or cars for Porsche, but the disgraced tennis star’s name certainly has appeal when it comes to one product.

“Used by Maria Sharapova,” the description read on eBay.

That product is meldonium, the drug Sharapova faces up to a four-year ban over after she tested positive at the Australian Open earlier this year. There were five different listings for meldonium -- one from a company purportedly based in Florida -- that mention Sharapova’s name in the product description as of 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

At 3 p.m. ET, eBay spokesperson Ryan Moore told USA TODAY Sports that the website was taking action to remove meldonium listings and by 6 p.m. ET all the listings had been scrubbed from the site.

"Thanks for reaching out and bringing this to our attention," Moore said in an email. "This product is not FDA approved in the US and we have since removed the product on the marketplace per our established policy."

Meldonium, also known Mildronate, has been sold on eBay since at least December. But the interest has spiked since Sharapova announced her positive test for meldonium at a news conference on Monday.

Of the 32 completed listings for meldonium, 31 of those orders were placed since Monday.  Sharapova’s name was mentioned in 16 of those completed meldonium sales before eBay took down the listings.

Screengrab of product listed on Ebay. 

FDA spokesperson Lyndsay Meyer told USA TODAY Sports that the sale of drugs that have not been approved by the agency is illegal.

"Drugs that have not undergone scientific and regulatory review by the FDA to ensure their safety and efficacy may have unknown ingredients, improper labeling, or may not have been manufactured, transported or stored under proper conditions," Meyer said in an email. "In addition to putting patients at risk, introducing or offering for introduction adulterated, misbranded, or unapproved drugs in interstate commerce violates federal law."

Meldonium is manufactured by the Latvian-based pharmaceutical company Grindeks. The drug was developed more than 30 years ago and has been used to treat circulatory issues and neurodegenerative disorders.

It's gained favor over the years -- especially in Eastern Europe and Russia -- as a performance-enhancing drug since meldonium can boost the body’s oxygen uptake and aid endurance. Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list on Jan. 1.

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