Table 4.
Groups of non-AAS substances used by AAS users
| Group | Examples | Purpose(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesics/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/opioids | Acetaminophen, aspirin®, Ben-Gay®, benoxaprofen, buprenorphine, codeine, corticosteroids†, heroin, hydrocodone, lidocaine, muscle oil (synthol) and muscle relaxing drugs†, nalbuphine/nubain®, naproxen, oxycodone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam | Relieving inflammation, pain, and fever |
| Anti-oestrogens | Aminogluthimide, aromatase inhibitors†, clomiphene/clomid, proviron®, tamoxifen | Improved testosterone production, burning body fat, reducing the effects of AAS on oestrogens, and dealing with gynecomastia |
| Cardiovascular drugs | Beta-2-agonists†, beta-blockers†, captopril, carvedilol, digoxin, thiazides† | Lowering blood pressure, reducing risk of infarction, and burning body fat |
| CNS depressants | Alcohol, benzodiazepines†, buprenorphine, cannabis/cannabinoids, diazepam, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), heroin, hydrocodone, ketamine, oxycodone | Improving sleep, relaxation, and dealing with side effects of AAS use such as gynecomastia |
| CNS stimulants | Amyl nitrate, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, epinephrine, mephedrone, meth/amphetamine, yohimbine | Alertness, boosting training, burning body fat, increased aggression and strength, and psychological wellbeing |
| Cosmetic drugs | Anti-acne drugs†, esiclene, melanotan I, suntan pills, thiomucase | Curing acne, skin tanning, and enhancing physical appearance |
| Dietary/nutritional supplements | Calcium, choline and inositol, chromium picolinate, conjugated linoleic acid, creatine, electrolyte solution, glutamine, hydroxocobal amin, piroxicam, potassium, protein powder | For essential nutrients to supplement the diet and combat the risk of illness |
| Diuretics | Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, torsemide | Increasing strength, masking AAS and other doping drugs, burning body fat, and reducing levels of body fluid |
| Fat burning/weight loss drugs | 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), anti-oestrogens†, beta blockers†, bronchodilators†, caffeine, chromium picolinate, clenbuterol, cocaine, conjugated linoleic acid, ephedrine, hydrochlorothiazide, insulin**, laxatives††, liothyronine, melanotan II, meth/amphetamine, spironolactone, teroxin (T3), thiomucase, thyroxine, triacana, yohimbine | Suppression of appetite, increased metabolism, and reduced absorption of body fat |
| Muscle/strength-enhancement drugs (non-hormone) | Amphetamine/meth, anti-catabolics†, glutamine, bronchodilators, chromium picolinate, clenbuterol, creatine, ephedrine, herbal products††, hydroxocobal amin (B12), myoblast, muscle oil (synthol), protein powder, recovery drinks† | Enhancing the size and structure of muscles as well as boosting strength |
| Muscle/strength-enhancement hormones†† | Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), erythropoietin (EPO), genotropine, growth hormone, growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin, levodopa, mechano growth factor, pregnyl®, prohormones†, proviron®, somatotropine | Enhancing the size and structure of muscles as well as boosting strength |
| Recreational substances/drugs | Alcohol, buprenorphine, cannabis/cannabinoids, cigarettes/tobacco methamphetamine, blood pressure regulators†, caffeine, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens†, heroin, hydrocodone, ketamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), sedatives†, tetrahydrocannabinol | Enhancing sleep, relaxation, and psychological wellbeing |
| Sexual enhancement drugs | Anti-oestrogens†, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), melanotan II, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i), sildenafil/cialis®, yohimbine | Dealing with testicular atrophy, improved sexual desire or arousal and boosting erectile functioning |
CNS: Central nervous system.
†Substance class - not specified.
††Some are used for direct muscle enhancing properties and others for counteracting shut-down of endogenous testosterone production.
**Skårberg [54].
There may be overlap between classes (e.g. CNS depressants may be used for promoting sleep and for analgesic properties).
Some of the drugs do not have well documented efficacy for their alleged motives for use.