Products
On the one hand, anabolic steroids are on the market as approved drugs, for example testosterone and other androgens. On the other hand, many agents are also produced and distributed illegally.
Structure and properties
Anabolic steroids structurally correspond to or are derived from androgens, the male sex hormones. The prototype of the group is the steroid testosterone.
Effects
Anabolic steroids (anabolic steroids, ATC A14A) have anabolic (building) and androgenic (masculinizing) properties and are therefore also called anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). They promote the development of lean skeletal muscle, increase weight, reduce body fat, and precipitate male sexual characteristics at puberty. The effects are based on binding to intracellular androgen receptors, which are found in the reproductive organs, muscle, skin, and central nervous system, among others. Binding to the receptors promotes the synthesis of specific proteins.
Indications for use (abuse)
This article refers to the misuse of anabolic steroids:
- As a doping agent in professional and amateur sports.
- For bodybuilding.
- To increase physical and sexual attractiveness.
Dosage
The agents are usually taken perorally or injected intramuscularly. They are administered in higher doses than are used therapeutically. Anabolic steroids can also be applied transdermally, for example, in the form of a cream or patch. Finally, buccal application is also possible. Application is usually cyclic rather than continuous to allow the body to recover in the interim.
Active ingredients
This list shows a selection of active substances that are prohibited according to the doping list. They can be divided into endogenous (endogenous to the body) and exogenous (exogenous to the body, synthetic) and herbal substances. Prohormones such as androstenedione or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are first converted to testosterone in the organism.
- 19-norandrostenedione
- 4-hydroxytestosterone
- Androstenediol
- Androstenedione
- Bolandiol
- Bolasterone
- Boldenone
- Boldion
- Calusteron
- Clostebol
- Danazol
- Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Deoxymethyltestosterone
- Drostanolone]
- Ethylestrenol
- Fluoxymesterone
- Formebolone
- Furazabol
- Gestrinone
- Mestanolone
- Mesterolone
- Metenolone
- Methandienone
- Methandriol
- Methasterone
- Methyl-1-testosterone
- Methyldienolone
- Methylnortestosterone
- Methyltestosterone
- Mibolerone
- Nandrolone
- Norboleton
- Norclostebol
- Norethandrolone
- Oxabolone
- Oxandrolone
- Oxymesterone
- Oxymetholone
- Prostanozole
- Quinbolone
- Stanozolol
- Stenbolon
- Testosterone
- Tetrahydrogestrinone
- Trenbolone
Contraindications
Contraindications include (selection):
- Hypersensitivity
- Prostate cancer
- Hypercalcemia in malignant tumors
- Liver tumors
- Pregnancy and lactation
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Many steroids, including testosterone, are metabolized by CYP3A. Other interactions are possible with antidiabetic agents and anticoagulants, among others.
Adverse effects
Anabolic steroids can cause numerous adverse effects. Their use is potentially life-threatening:
- Hormonal side effects: Decrease in testicular size, fertility, painful enlargement of the mammary gland in men (gynecomastia), prostate enlargement, masculinization in women, deep voice.
- Metabolic changes: Deterioration of the lipid profile (HDL decreases, LDL increases), disorders of glucose metabolism.
- Cardiovascular disease: Hypertension, cardiovascular complications such as a heart attack or stroke, hypertrophy of the heart muscles.
- Neuropsychiatric disorders: Irritability, aggressiveness, paranoia, depression, euphoria, mania, anxiety, libido disorders, dependence.
- Skin: rashes, acne, hair loss, greasy hair, jaundice, local reactions at the injection site.
- Other: edema (water retention, fluid retention), liver disease, cancer, cracked vision.
Since anabolic steroids are not indicated for the above indications, they are often obtained from dubious sources. This poses an additional risk because it is unclear how pure the agents are and whether they even contain the active ingredients mentioned.
