Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS — Exogenous & Endogenous Derivatives)
Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS — Exogenous & Endogenous Derivatives) is classified under Group B (Pharmacological & Prohibited Performance-Enhancing Substances). It is NOT recommended as an athletic performance aid. This monograph provides objective clinical pharmacology, toxicology, Indian statutory regulation, and WADA anti-doping education only—it never provides doping cycles, stacking regimens, or testing-evasion instructions. Any legitimate therapeutic use requires specialist medical diagnosis and supervision.
1. Generic or Accepted Substance Name & Classifications
Accepted Name: Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS — Exogenous & Endogenous Derivatives)
Common Names, Synonyms & Classifications: Nandrolone Decanoate IP; Stanozolol; Oxandrolone; Methandienone (Dianabol); Trenbolone; Boldenone; Drostanolone
Section Classification: Group B — Pharmacological & Prohibited Performance-Enhancing Substances (PERF-B11)
2. Pharmacological Class
Synthetic Androgen Receptor (NR3C4) Agonists (19-Nortestosterone, DHT & 17-Alpha-Alkylated Derivatives)
3. Mechanism of Action
Lipid-soluble steroid hormones that diffuse across cell membranes and bind cytoplasmic Androgen Receptors (AR / NR3C4). The ligand-receptor homodimer translocates to the nucleus to bind Androgen Response Elements (AREs), upregulating myofibrillar protein transcription, inhibiting glucocorticoid-mediated muscle catabolism, stimulating satellite cell proliferation, and suppressing hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis GnRH/LH/FSH secretion via negative feedback.
4. Proposed Performance or Endurance Effects (Pharmacological Effect vs Proven Athletic Outcome)
Pharmacological Effect: Supraphysiological nitrogen retention, skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and erythropoiesis. Anti-Doping & Clinical Reality: Strictly prohibited doping agents. While supraphysiological abuse increases lean mass and muscular force, it inflicts severe, often irreversible cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine, and psychiatric pathology. This platform provides zero cycling, stacking, or performance-dosing instructions.
5. Quality of Scientific Evidence
Evidence Assessment: PROHIBITED PHARMACOLOGICAL DOPING CLASS — Medically Contraindicated and Illegal for Athletic Enhancement
6. Approved Medical Uses (Where Applicable)
Strictly limited prescription indications under specialist supervision: Nandrolone Decanoate IP has historical/limited use in refractory anaemia of chronic renal disease or severe debilitating catabolic states; Oxandrolone/Stanozolol have narrow orphan uses (e.g., hereditary angioedema prophylaxis or severe burn catabolism).
7. Sports-Related Uses, Misuse Patterns & Contamination Risks
Illicit non-medical abuse in bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, and sprinting. Counterfeit underground laboratory (UGL) injectable vials and oral tablets frequently contain toxic veterinary steroids (trenbolone, boldenone), bacterial endotoxins, or heavy metals.
8. Adverse Effects & Serious Safety Risks
Cardiovascular: Severe atherogenic dyslipidaemia (profound suppression of HDL-C by >50% and elevation of LDL-C), concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, hypertension, polycythaemia, premature myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hepatic (especially C17-alpha-alkylated oral steroids like stanozolol, methandienone, oxymetholone): Cholestatic jaundice, peliosis hepatis (blood-filled hepatic cysts), hepatic adenomas, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Endocrine/Reproductive: Profound HPG-axis suppression, testicular atrophy, azoospermia/infertility, irreversible gynaecomastia in males; irreversible virilisation (voice deepening, clitoromegaly, hirsutism, amenorrhoea) in females; premature epiphyseal growth-plate closure in adolescents. Psychiatric: Severe mood swings, aggression, mania, and post-cessation major depression.
9. Contraindications & Precautions
Carcinoma of the prostate or male breast, pregnancy (Category X — causes severe female fetal virilisation), nephrotic syndrome, severe hepatic dysfunction, hypercalcaemia, and non-medical athletic use.
10. Drug Interactions
Potentiates oral anticoagulants (Warfarin, Acenocoumarol) by altering hepatic clotting factor synthesis and catabolism, causing life-threatening haemorrhage; increases oedema with corticosteroids/ACTH; alters insulin/oral hypoglycaemic requirements.
11. Clinical & Laboratory Monitoring Considerations
In legitimate clinical patients: Serial lipid profile, liver function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin), haematocrit/haemoglobin (polycythaemia risk), PSA and digital rectal exam in older males, and endocrine panel (LH, FSH, total/free testosterone).
12. Dependence, Misuse or Withdrawal Concerns
High risk of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Dependence Syndrome (~30% of chronic illicit users): withdrawal upon cessation precipitates acute hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, profound fatigue, loss of libido, anhedonia, and major depressive episodes carrying suicide risk—requiring supervised endocrinological care.
13. Regulatory & Legal Status in India (CDSCO / Drugs Rules / NDPS / FSSAI)
Prescription-only Schedule H drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs Rules, 1945 in India. Sale or distribution without a valid prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner, or manufacture of unapproved veterinary/underground steroid formulations for human consumption, is a punishable statutory offence.
14. Official WADA Prohibited-List Status
PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES (In-Competition and Out-of-Competition) under WADA Prohibited List Category S1.1 (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids — Non-Specified Substances).
15. Authoritative Source References & Date of Last Verification
Date of Last Verification: 11 November 2026