Using bodybuilding products
Many bodybuilding products sold online and in retail stores are often marketed and labelled as dietary supplements when they aren’t. Often, these products contain hidden ingredients that may be harmful or are unapproved drugs which haven’t been reviewed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy and quality.
On this page
Health risks of using bodybuilding products
Anabolic steroids
Some unauthorized bodybuilding products may contain harmful ingredients such as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids and their derivatives are regulated as controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act due to concerns about public health, safety and misuse.
If you take bodybuilding products with anabolic steroids, you’re exposed to a variety of risks including:
- stroke
- hair loss
- infertility
- severe acne
- heart attack
- liver damage
- mood swings
- erectile dysfunction
- high blood pressure
- aggressive behaviour
- shrinking of the testicles
Additional health risks include the masculinization of women such as:
- voice deepening
- male-pattern baldness
- reduction in breast tissue
- excessive hair growth on the face, back and chest
Some examples of anabolic steroids found in bodybuilding products include:
- stanozolol
- nandrolone
- oxandrolone
- oxymetholone
- metandienone
- androstenedione
- methyltestosterone
- dehydrochloromethyltestosterone
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)
Other bodybuilding products may contain selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) or claim to contain a SARM but may actually contain an entirely different drug. Like anabolic steroids, SARMs are synthetic drugs designed to have similar effects to testosterone. SARMs haven’t been authorized in Canada for any medical use.
SARMs are associated with serious safety concerns including:
- hormonal suppression
- heart and liver disease
Some examples of SARM ingredients include:
- andarine (S4)
- ostarine (MK-2866)
- testolone (RAD-140)
- ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Some examples of drugs claiming to be SARMs include:
- myostine (YK-11)
- ibutamoren (MK-677)
- cardarine (GW 501516)
Injectable peptide drugs
Some injectable peptide drugs may be sold as bodybuilding products with claims to facilitate fat loss or enhance athletic performance. Peptides can mimic hormones and influence body processes. In Canada, injectable peptides are regulated as prescription drugs.
Using unauthorized injectable peptides can pose serious health risks including:
- blood clots
- mood swings
- hormonal imbalances
- liver or kidney damage
- blood sugar imbalances
- the growth of cancerous tumours
Injectable peptide drugs are often sold illegally under various names. These include:
- KPV
- HCG
- DSIP
- NAD+
- SS-31
- TB-500
- GHK-Cu
- MOTS-C
- epitalon
- BPC-157
- CJC-1295
- ipamorelin
- retatrutide
- tirzepatide
- semaglutide
- melanotan I and II
Health Canada continues to identify peptide products marketed as “For Research Use Only – Not for Human Consumption.” This type of labelling doesn’t make these products legal or exempt from regulatory requirements, and you shouldn’t use them.
Learn more
What you should do
If you're taking bodybuilding products that claim to contain any of these substances, stop taking them immediately because of the potentially serious health risks associated with their use.
We recommend that you:
- consult with your health care provider about any bodybuilding products or supplements you’re taking or are planning to take, particularly if you’re not sure about their ingredients
- talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms that may be associated with these products
- dispose of unauthorized health products safely by following municipal or regional guidance for chemicals and other hazardous waste or take them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal
- check the label before you buy
- In Canada, authorized prescription drugs have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN). You can also check whether a drug has been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database .
- report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada
Make decisions on the use of prescription medications in consultation with a licensed health care provider. Buy prescription medications from a licensed pharmacy. Be aware of the risks of buying health products online.
Health Canada's role
Health Canada regulates health products to be sold in Canada to make sure they meet requirements for safety, efficacy and quality.
Health Canada takes appropriate action when it identifies unauthorized products that may pose serious health risks. This may include:
- seizing unauthorized products
- issuing communications informing consumers of the risks
- working with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products
You can access a comprehensive list of recalls, advisories and safety alerts for various health products through the Recalls and safety alerts database.
If you buy a prescription drug or any health product online that hasn’t been authorized for sale in Canada, it may be refused entry or seized at the border. Health Canada continues to seize large quantities of unauthorized products at the border. Your package may be recommended for refusal to the CBSA or seized, if it’s suspected to be:
- counterfeit
- making false health claims
- adulterated (contains an ingredient not listed on the label)
- not meeting personal or commercial importation requirements
Related links
- Buying drugs online
- Recalls and safety alerts
- Counterfeit prescription drugs
- Choosing a safe online pharmacy
- Safe Use of Natural Health Products
- Adulteration of natural health products
- Buying medical devices from the internet
- Safe use of health products for weight loss
- Buying safe sexual enhancement products
- Risks of buying natural health products online
- Bringing health products into Canada for personal use