Complications of anabolic steroids (e.g mesterolone, nandrolone, stanozolol, tamoxifen, testosterone) depend on dose, duration and route of administration. For instance, oil embolism syndrome can be seen post-injection and cardiomyopathy and CAD are seen with chronic buccaly-administered steroids. Special attention required in bodybuilders. Oily excipients may play a role. Some bodybuilders also inject themselves with Synthol. Watching social networks for undisclosed information on adverse effects can be useful
The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website and App
Frequency - Incidence
Incidence of respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases
Evidence level/grade
Evidence level for respiratory adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic
I - Interstitial/parenchymal lung disease
II - Pulmonary edema - Acute lung injury - ARDS
III - Pulmonary/alveolar/airway hemorrhage/bleeding
IV - Airway involvement
VI - Pulmonary vasculopathy
X - Systemic/Distant conditions, syndromes and reactions
XII - Cardiovascular involvement / toxicity
XII.a
Left or biventricular dysfunction/failure
XII.c
Pericardial effusion (w/wo tamponade)
XII.f
Cardiomyopathy (acute, subacute, chronic)
XII.g
Coronary artery disease (acute) - Myocardial ischemia/infarction
XII.l
Cardiac arrhythmias or dysrhythmias (AF, VT, VF, TdP)
XII.o
Coronary artery disease (subacute, chronic)
XII.v
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
XII.ai
Cardiotoxicity