Table 4 Groups of non-AAS substances used by AAS users

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