Anabolic androgenic steroid abuse in the United Kingdom: An update

Abstract

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) are prescribed for medical conditions related to low testosterone. Abuse of AASs has surged as they become recognised as potent image enhancement drugs. The primary goal of most abusers is to obtain a more attractive outward appearance. Abuse is complex. There are a vast range of AAS substances illegally available, the nature of their true composition is difficult to evaluate.Users follow dosing patterns which incorporate a number of different AASs, in addition to other pharmaceutical substances believed to complement the desired physical effects or manage unwanted effects. Animal work and medical case reports suggest potential to cause serious hepatotoxicity, plus possible neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and damage to the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. As the long-term AASs users reach maturity, further controlled experimentation, with larger sample sizes, is required. Data gathering should be directed towards the most vulnerable group of AAS users, females and adolescent boys.

Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review

“…Moreover, considering that most of the customers are young sportsman and that most of these drugs are easily obtained online, AAS abuse is a considerable public health issue [ 3 ].…”

“…Testosterone, Nandrolone Decanoate (ND), methandienone, and methenolol, are the most commonly abused androgens [ 2 ]. AAS use is widespread due to their ability to improve muscle growth for esthetic purposes and athletes’ performance, minimizing androgenic effects [ 3 ]. Indeed, androgens are able to increase the size of muscle fibers as well as muscle strength, and while their use was initially restricted to professional bodybuilders, nowadays it has become more popular among recreational athletes [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Anti-Doping Programs in Contemporary Social and Educational Context

“…Незаконито, наручивањем преко интернета и на црном тржишту, доступан је велики број супстанци из групе ААС. Корисници следе обрасце дозирања који укључују различите ААС, њихово комбиновање, али и остале фармацеутске супстанце за које верују да надопуњују жељене ефекте на скелетне мишиће или смањују нежељене ефекте (Mullen, Whalley, Schifano, Baker, 2020). Међутим, новија истраживања указују да међу корисницима ААС-а нису само адолесценти који сматрају да имају мању укупну телесну масу и масу скелетних мишића, већ и адолесценти са повећаном телесном масом који желе смањење масног ткива уз очување или повећање мишићне масе.…”

Effects of Exogenous Androgens on Platelet Activity and Their Thrombogenic Potential in Supraphysiological Administration: A Literature Review

“…For instance, considering a parenteral dose of testosterone enanthate or cypionate of 150–200 mg every two week in men with hypogonadism [ 13 ], the aforementioned abus dose is 6 to 500 times higher than that recommended in testosterone replacement therapy. AAS abuse is widespread and extending, becoming an alarming public health issue [ 10 , 14 , 15 ].…”

“…The negative impact of AAS excess is a consequence of their numerous side effects, including endocrine dysfunctions, alterations of the cardiovascular system, liver toxicity, behavioral changes and even psychiatric disorders, some of them with severe endpoints [ 10 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The negative effects on the cardiovascular function have classically been divided into four categories: thrombotic, atherogenic, vasospastic, and cardiomyocyte direct toxicity [ 18 ].…”