05.01.06
On March 9th, FDA issued a warning to companies selling or distributing illegal steroid products and disguising them as dietary supplements. The agency said the continued sale of these unapproved drugs containing steroids could result in regulatory action, including seizure and injunction. FDA is concerned that the use of these products, which are marketed as dietary supplements and promoted for building muscle and increasing strength, may cause serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women and children. According to FDA, many of these products claim to be anabolic. Problems associated with anabolic steroids include: liver toxicity, testicular atrophy and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and a potential to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. FDA issued warning letters for the following “so-called” dietary supplement products and urged consumers to stop taking them and return them to their place of purchase. The products listed were Anabolic Xtreme Superdrol, manufactured for Anabolic Resources, Gilbert, AZ, and distributed by Supplements To Go, Cincinnati, OH; and Methyl-1-P, manufactured for Legal Gear, Brighton, MI, and distributed by Affordable Supplements, Wichita, KS. According to a Washington Post article posted online March 17th, this is probably just the beginning of FDA’s probe into companies selling illegal steroids masquerading as dietary supplements. “The fact that the FDA letters mentioned only two of the steroids and one of the five companies [in question] raises the possibility of more letters or further action…” the article said. The conversation about illegal steroids masquerading as dietary supplements carried over into a government reform meeting held the same day FDA issued its warning. (For more information, see page 14 in “Industry News.”)