Hepatotoxicity Associated with Methylstenbolone and Stanozolol Abuse

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Drug hepatotoxicity is a major cause of liver disease. Many drugs are well known to induce liver damage. Some toxic products, like anabolic androgenic steroids, that are pharmaceutical preparations since they contain pharmaceutically active substance, are available as nutritional supplements. Many patients are used to consume these like dietary stuff. Methods: We introduce a case series of two patients who developed hepatic damage after the consumption of anabolicandrogenic steroids, accompanied by a detailed bibliographic research on this topic. Results: We present two young men who developed significant liver damage, both with hyperbilirubinemia pattern after consumption of anabolic-androgenic steroids. This was associated with considerable morbidity, although both recovered without liver transplantation. The two anabolic-androgenic steroids were being marketed as dietary supplements. Conclusions: Although not well controlled substances in Brazil, anabolic-androgenic steroids are cause of severe hepatotoxicity. Whereas the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency acts in the regulation of such substances, some of these products are still marketed as dietary supplements, requiring a more rigorous surveillance by health professionals.