Class Characteristics and Mechanism of Action
Substances in this group are developed based on 17-alkylated androgens. Prominent pharmacological representatives include Nandrolone and Methandienone. The main pharmacodynamic feature lies in the dissociation of effects: the anabolic action is very strong, whereas the androgenic action is significantly weaker than that of natural hormones. These drugs effectively stimulate protein synthesis in the body and promote bone tissue calcification.
Clinical Indications and Doping Control
In medical practice, anabolic steroids have strictly limited indications. They are prescribed for:
- Muscular dystrophy;
- Osteoporosis.
In professional sports, these compounds are used for the artificial enhancement of athletic performance. However, they are officially classified as prohibited substances (doping). Detecting traces of the drug in an athlete's biological fluids inevitably results in disqualification.
Systemic Adverse Effects
Most adverse reactions are related to the residual androgenic activity of these agents:
- In children: They cause premature closure of epiphyseal growth plates (growth retardation), as well as precocious puberty and virilization.
- In women: They provoke masculinization (acne, alopecia, hirsutism, deepening of the voice) and disrupt the menstrual cycle.
- In men: They lead to the suppression of spermatogenesis, testicular atrophy (via negative feedback mechanisms), and psychoemotional disorders (depression, mood swings, irritability, and aggression).
- Systemic disorders: They elevate blood pressure, cause hyperlipidemia, and impair liver function (hepatotoxicity).