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Research Reports: Anabolic Steroid Abuse

What are steroidal supplements?

Commonly Abused Steroids

Oral Steroids

  • Anadrol
    (oxymetholone)
  • Oxandrin
    (oxandrolone)
  • Dianabol
    (methandrostenolone)
  • Winstrol
    (stanozolol)

Injectable Steroids

  • Deca-Durabolin
    (nandrolone decanoate)
  • Durabolin
    (nandrolone phenpropionate)
  • Depo-Testosterone
    (testosterone cypionate)
  • Equipoise
    (boldenone undecylenate)
  • Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

In the United States, supplements such as tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and androstenedione (street name "Andro") previously could be purchased legally without a prescription through many commercial sources, including health food stores. Steroidal supplements can be converted into testosterone or a similar compound in the body. Less is known about the side effects of steroidal supplements, but if large quantities of these compounds substantially increase testosterone levels in the body, then they also are likely to produce the same side effects as anabolic steroids themselves. The purchase of these supplements, with the notable exception of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), became illegal after the passage in 2004 of amendments to the Controlled Substances Act.

This page was last updated August 2006.

​Research Reports

This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.

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