From: Polypharmacy among anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a descriptive metasynthesis
Current polypharmacy (Combined with AAS) | Lifetime polypharmacy (Ever use) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Substance | Reason(s) for use | Studies (First author, reference) | Reason(s) for use | Studies (First author, reference) | Number of studies |
2,4-dinitrophenol | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | 4 | |
Acetaminophen | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Alcohol | Better sleep and relaxation | Chandler [12]; Hegazy [23]; Kanayama [28]; Kusserow [34]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; Peters [46]; Perry [48]; Skårberg [52-54] | Better sleep and relaxation | Chandler [12]; Dunn [15]; Fudala [17]; Gruber [21,22]; Hegazy [23]; Hoff [24]; Hope [25]; Kanayama [26-28]; Katz [29]; Kusserow [34]; Malone [38]; Peters [46]; Perry [48]; Skårberg [52-54]; Tallon [56]; Wines [58] | 23 |
Aminogluthimide | Reducing receptors’ attraction to cortisol | Peters [46] | Reducing receptors’ attraction to cortisol | 2 | |
Amyl nitrate | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | Chandler [12] | 1 |
Analgesics/opioids† | Pain relief | Ahlgrim [9]; Hegazy [23]; Kanayama [28]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Skårberg [53] | Pain relief | Ahlgrim [9]; Fudala [17]; Gruber [22]; Hegazy [23]; Kanayama [26,28], Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Malone [38]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Rashid [49]; Skårberg [53,54] | 14 |
Anti-acne drugs† | – | – | Combating acne | Skårberg [54] | 1 |
Antibiotics† | Combating acne | Peters [46] | Combating acne | 2 | |
Anti-catabolics† | NS | Skårberg [53] | Facilitating synthesis of hepatic protein and nitrogen economy | 2 | |
Anti-depressants† | Combating side effects | Klötz [31] | Combating side effects, depression relief, boosting levels of serotonin and noradrenaline | 2 | |
Anti-oestrogens† | Burning fat, combating gynecomastia, reducing effects on oestrogen | Combating gynecomastia, burning fat, reducing effects on oestrogen | Gårevik [18]; Hope [25]; Klötz [31]; Korkia [32]; Kusserow [34]; Larance [35]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | 9 | |
Aromatase inhibitors† | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | Chandler [12] | 1 |
Aspirin® | NS | NS | Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Perry [45]; Skårberg [53]; Strauss [55] | 5 | |
Ben-Gay® | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Benoxaprofen | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Benzodiazepines† | Better sleep, combating side effects, relaxation | Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; McBride [39]; Skårberg [53] | Combating side effects, enhancing sleep and relaxation, self-control, sedation | Gårevik [18]; Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; McBride [39]; Skårberg [53,54] | 8 |
Beta blockers† | Burning fat | Peters [46] | Burning fat | Peters [46] | 1 |
Beta-2-agonists† | – | – | NS | Bilard [11] | 1 |
Blood pressure regulators† | NS | Kusserow [34] | Lower blood pressure | 2 | |
Bronchodilators† | Energy and boosting training | Skårberg [53] | Burning fat, energy and boosting training, increasing strength | 2 | |
Buprenorphine | NS | Skårberg [53] | NS | 2 | |
Caffeine | Burning fat | Klötz [31]; Pappa [43]; Perry [45]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53]; Strauss [55] | Burning fat | Gruber [22]; Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Perry [45]; Skårberg [53]; Strauss [55] | 8 |
Calcium | – | – | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Cannabis/cannabinoids | Enhancing sleep, relaxation | Chandler [12]; Kanayama [27,28]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Perry [48]; Skårberg [53,54] | Enhancing sleep, relaxation | Bilard [11]; Chandler [12]; Dunn [15]; Fudala [17]; Gruber [21,22]; Hoff [24]; Kanayama [27,28]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Larance [35]; Malone [38]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Perry [48]; Rashid [49]; Skårberg [53,54]; Tallon [56] | 21 |
Captopril | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | 1 |
Carvedilol | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | 1 |
Choline and inositol | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Chromium picolinate | Reducing body weight | Peters [46] | Reducing body weight | Peters [46] | 1 |
Clenbuterol | Anabolic effects, burning fat, removing skin fluid, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Gruber [21]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; Peters [46]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | Anabolic effects, burning fat, removing skin fluid, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Gruber [20-22]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; Korkia [33]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; Peters [46]; Tallon [56]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | 14 |
Clomiphene citrate | NS | NS | 4 | ||
Cocaine | Boosting training, burning fat, increasing strength | Chandler [12]; Kanayama [28]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | Boosting training, burning fat, increasing strength | Chandler [12]; Dunn [15]; Fudala [17]; Gårevik [18]; Gruber [21]; Hoff [24]; Hope [25]; Kanayama [26-28]; Katz [29]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; Malone [38]; Peters [46]; Rashid [49]; Skårberg [53,54]; Tallon [56] | 19 |
Codeine | Boosting training | Boosting training | 2 | ||
Conjugated linoleic acid | Burning fat | Skårberg [53] | Burning fat | Skårberg [53] | 1 |
Corticosteroids† | NS | Lenehan [36] | NS | 3 | |
Creatine | Enhancing the effects of training | Anabolic effects, endurance booster, enhancing the effects of training, recovery aid | Davies [14]; Filiault [16]; Hoff [24]; Klötz [31]; Perry [45]; Skårberg [53,54] | 7 | |
Daonil® | Increasing insulin release | Peters [46] | Increasing insulin release | Peters [46] | 1 |
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) | – | – | NS | Larance [35] | 1 |
Diazepam | – | – | NS | Gårevik [18] | 1 |
Dietary/nutritional supplements† | Energy and boosting training, nutrition | Pappa [43]; Perry [45]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54]; Strauss [55]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | Energy and boosting training, anabolic effects, endurance booster, nutrition, recovery aid | Davies [14]; Filiault [16]; Gruber [21]; Korkia [32]; Pappa [43]; Perry [45]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54]; Strauss [55]; Tallon [56]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | 12 |
Digoxin | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | 1 |
Dimethyl sulfoxide | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Diuretics† | Combating side effects, masking doping drugs, reducing fluid levels | Chandler [12]; Klötz [31]; Lenehan [36]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | Combating side effects, masking doping drugs, reducing fluid levels | Chandler [12]; Goldfield [19]; Hope [25]; Klötz [31]; Korkia [32]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [54]; Tallon [56]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | 12 |
Electrolyte solution | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Ephedra/Ephedrine | Energy and boosting training, enhancing weight loss | Chandler [12]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; McBride [39]; Perry [45]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53] | Energy and boosting training, burning fat, enhancing weight loss, increasing strength | Chandler [12]; Gårevik [18]; Gruber [20]; Gårevik [18]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; McBride [39]; Perry [45]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | 14 |
Epinephrine | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Erythropoietin (EPO) | NS | NS | 3 | ||
Esiclene | – | – | NS | Korkia [32] | 1 |
Fat-loss agents† | – | – | Burning fat | Skårberg [54] | 1 |
Furosemide | Weight loss | Weight loss | 3 | ||
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) | Enhancing sleep | Enhancing sleep | Chandler [12]; Dunn [15]; Gruber [22]; Klötz [31]; Skårberg [54] | 5 | |
Genotropine | NS | Klötz [31] | NS | Klötz [31] | 1 |
Glutamine | NS | Perry [45] | NS | Perry [45] | 1 |
Growth hormone | Anabolic effects and strength, burning fat, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Kimergård [30]; Kusserow [34]; Lenehan [36]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54]; Strauss [55]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | Anabolic effects, burning fat, endurance booster, recovery aid, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Filiault [16]; Fudala [17]; Gårevik [18]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Korkia [32,33]; Kusserow [34]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; Peters [46]; Silvester [51]; Skårberg [53,54]; Strauss [55]; Tallon [56]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | 18 |
Growth hormone releasing peptides† | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | Chandler [12] | 1 |
Hallucinogens† | NS | NS | 3 | ||
Herbal products† | NS | Skårberg [53] | Increasing strength | ||
Heroin | Enhancing sleep, pain relief | Enhancing sleep, pain relief | Gårevik [18]; Cornford [13]; Kanayama [27]; Larance [35]; Skårberg [54]; Wines [58] | 6 | |
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) | Minimizing depressive symptoms upon AAS cessation/withdrawal, improving testosterone production, preventing weight loss, stopping testicular atrophy, increasing strength | Chandler [12]; Kimergård [30]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; Moss [41,42]; Perry [44]; Peters [46]; Perry [47]; Korkia [32]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | Anabolic effects, increasing testosterone production, minimizing depressive symptoms upon AAS cessation/withdrawal, preventing weight loss, stopping testicular atrophy, increasing strength | Chandler [12]; Fudala [17]; Gruber [22]; Gårevik [18]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Korkia [32]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; McKillop [40]; Moss [41,42]; Perry [44]; Peters [46]; Perry [47]; Wilson-Fearon [57] | 17 |
Hydrochlorothiazide | Weight loss | Ahlgrim [9] | Weight loss | Ahlgrim [62] | 1 |
Hydrocodone | – | – | NS | Wines [58] | 1 |
Hydroxocobal amin | Weight gain | Peters [46] | Weight gain | Peters [46] | 1 |
Inhalants† | NS | Larance [35] | NS | 2 | |
Insulin | Anabolic effects and strength, burning fat, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | Anabolic effects and strength, burning fat, weight loss | Chandler [12]; Gårevik [18]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54]; Tallon [56] | 10 |
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) | Anabolic effects and strength, burning fat | Chandler [12]; Klötz [31]; Lenehan [36]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | Anabolic effects and strength, burning fat | Chandler [12]; Fudala [17]; Klötz [31]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | 8 |
Ketamine | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | 2 | |
Laxative | – | – | NS | Goldfield [19] | 2 |
Levodopa | NS | Strauss [55] | Increasing growth hormone | 2 | |
Lidocaine | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 2 |
Liothyronine | NS | Perry [45] | NS | Perry [45] | 1 |
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) | NS | Skårberg [54] | NS | 2 | |
Mechano growth factor | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | Chandler [12] | 1 |
Melanotan | Boosting training, skin tanning | Boosting training, skin tanning | 3 | ||
Mephedrone | NS | Chandler [12] | NS | Chandler [12] | 1 |
Meth/amphetamine | Alertness, boosting training, burning fat, increasing aggression during exercise, increasing strength, psychological wellbeing | Chandler [12]; Hegazy [23]; Kimergård [30]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54] | Alertness, boosting training, burning fat, increasing aggression during exercise, increasing strength, psychological wellbeing | Angoorani [10]; Chandler [12]; Gårevik [18]; Hegazy [23]; Hoff [24]; Hope [25]; Kimergård [30]; Larance [35]; Lundholm [37]; McBride [39]; Pappa [43]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [53,54]; Tallon [56] | 15 |
Muscle oil (synthol) | – | – | Anabolic effect | Skårberg [54] | 1 |
Muscle relaxing drugs† | Combating side effects | Klötz [31] | Combating side effects | Klötz [31] | 1 |
Myoblast | NS | Klötz [31] | NS | Klötz [31] | 1 |
Nalbuphine/nubain® | NS | Treating pain from weightlifting injuries, “anti-catabolic”, mental high | Gruber [22]; Hope [25]; Kanayama [27]; Korkia [33]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; Strauss [55]; Wines [58] | 8 | |
Naproxen | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) † | – | – | Inflammation, pain, and fever relief | Skårberg [54] | 1 |
Oxycodone | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | 2 | |
Peptide hormones† | – | – | NS | Bilard [11] | 1 |
Phenylbutazone | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) † | – | – | NS | Hope [25] | 1 |
Piroxicam | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Potassium | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Potency/testicular increasing drugs† | Combating side effects | Klötz [31] | Combating side effects | Klötz [31] | 1 |
Pregnyl® | Improved testosterone production | Peters [46] | Improved testosterone production | Peters [46] | 1 |
Protein powder | Enhancing effects of training, increasing protein synthesis | Enhancing effects of training, increasing protein synthesis | 3 | ||
Proviron® | Hardiness, improved testosterone production | Peters [46] | Hardiness, improved testosterone production | Peters [46] | 1 |
Recovery drinks† | – | – | Endurance booster, recovery aid | Filiault [16] | 1 |
Sedatives† | NS | Malone [38] | NS | Malone [38] | 1 |
Sildenafil/viagra®/cialis | Enhanced sexual functioning | Enhanced sexual functioning | 4 | ||
Somatotropine | NS | Klötz [31] | NS | Klötz [31] | 1 |
Spironolactone | Weight loss | Ahlgrim [9] | Weight loss | Ahlgrim [9] | 1 |
Stimulants† | NS | Increasing strength, burning fat | Fudala [17]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Malone [38]; Rashid [49]; Skårberg [54] | 6 | |
Suntan pills† | NS | Strauss [55] | NS | Strauss [55] | 1 |
Tamoxifen | Combating side effects | Combating side effects | Chandler [12]; Gruber [22]; Kimergård [30]; Korkia [33]; Lenehan [36]; McBride [39]; Tallon [56] | 7 | |
Teroxin (T3) | Preventing weight gain | Peters [46] | Preventing weight gain | Peters [46] | 1 |
Testosterone releasers/boosters† | Combating side effects, increasing hormone production | Skårberg [53] | Combating side effects, increasing blood serum levels of testosterone or hormone production | 2 | |
Thiazides† | – | – | NS | McKillop [40] | 1 |
Thiomucase | NS | Wilson-Fearon [57] | Burning fat | 3 | |
Thyroxine | Burning fat, increasing metabolism | Chandler [12]; Lenehan [36]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [54]; Strauss [55] | Burning fat, increasing metabolism | Chandler [12]; Gruber [22]; Hope [25]; Korkia [32]; Larance [35]; Lenehan [36]; McKillop [40]; Peters [46]; Skårberg [54]; Strauss [55] | 10 |
Tobacco | NS | NS | 3 | ||
Torsemide | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | NS | Ahlgrim [9] | 1 |
Triacana | – | – | NS | Korkia [33] | 1 |
Yohimbine | NS | Perry [45] | NS | 3 | |
Other IPEDs, licit and illicit substances | NS | Kanayama [28]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Perry [48]; Skårberg [52] | NS | Gruber [20,21]; Hoff [24]; Hope [25]; Kanayama [26,28]; Klötz [31]; Kusserow [34]; Perry [48]; Skårberg [52,54]; Wines [58] |