Over-the-counter drug use in gymnasiums: An underrecognized substance abuse problem?

Objective: Many individuals, attempting to gain muscle or lose fat, use 'di etary supplements'. Though widely available over the counter or by mail ord er in America and Europe, some of these 'supplements' are actually potent d rugs such as androstenedione and ephedrine, We sought to estimate the preva lence of these forms of drug use in American gymnasiums. Methods: We distri buted anonymous questionnaires to 511 clients entering five gymnasiums, ask ing about use of both supplements and anabolic steroids. Results: Among men , 18% reported use of androstenedione and/or other adrenal hormones, 25% re ported ephedrine use, and 5% reported anabolic steroid use within the last 3 years; among women these rates were 3, 13 and 0%, Extrapolating from thes e figures to the United States as a whole, we estimated that possibly 1.5 m illion American gymnasium clients have used adrenal hormones and 2.8 millio n have used ephedrine within the last 3 years. Conclusions: Millions of men and women are currently using potent drugs, widely sold over the counter a s 'supplements', despite their known adverse effects, unknown long-term ris ks, and possible potential for causing abuse or dependence. Copyright (C) 2 001 S. Karger AG. Basel.