title: Synthetic androgens as designer supplements.
abstract: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are some of the most common performance enhancing drugs (PED) among society. Despite the broad spectrum of adverse effects and legal consequences, AAS are illicitly marketed and distributed in many countries. To circumvent existing laws, the chemical structure of AAS is modified and these designer steroids are sold as nutritional supplements mainly over the Internet. Several side effects are linked with AAS abuse. Only little is known about the pharmacological effects and metabolism of unapproved steroids due to the absence of clinical studies. The large number of designer steroid findings in dietary supplements and the detection of new compounds combined with legal loopholes for their distribution in many countries show that stricter regulations and better information policy are needed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan Felix
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria Kristina
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Parr
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015198:Designer Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D045165:Testosterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D015198:Designer Drugs; D013256:Steroids; D045165:Testosterone Congeners
keywords: AAS; designer steroids; dietary supplements; performance enhancing drugs.