Anabolic steroids have no medical use that's approved by the government. Many athletes take anabolic steroids at doses that are too high.

These doses are much higher than those that health care providers use for medical reasons. Anabolic steroids have serious side effects too. Teens who take anabolic steroids might grow less than usual too.

They also might raise their risk of health problems later in life. Doping with anabolic steroids is banned by most sports leagues and groups. And it is not legal.

It's never safe to buy anabolic steroids from a drug dealer. The drugs could be tainted or labeled the wrong way. Androstenedione, also called andro, is a hormone everyone's body makes. The body turns andro into the hormone testosterone and a form of the hormone estrogen.

Andro can be made in a lab. Some drugmakers and workout magazines claim that andro products help athletes train harder and recover faster. But some studies show that andro doesn't boost testosterone.

They also show that muscles don't get stronger. Andro is legal to use only if a health care provider prescribes it. It's not legal to use as a doping drug in the United States. Andro can damage the heart and blood vessels in anyone who takes it. This raises the risk of a serious problem that can happen when the heart doesn't get enough blood, called a heart attack.

It also raises the risk of a condition that keeps the brain from getting enough oxygen, called a stroke. Heart attack and stroke can be deadly. Athletes take human growth hormone, also called somatotropin, to build more muscle and do better at their sports.

But studies don't clearly prove that human growth hormone boosts strength or helps people exercise longer.

A health care provider can prescribe human growth hormone for some health reasons. It is given as a shot. Erythropoietin is a type of hormone.

It treats anemia in people with severe kidney disease. It raises the level of red blood cells. It also raises the levels of the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's organs, called hemoglobin. Taking erythropoietin improves how oxygen moves to the muscles.

It's common for athletes who exercise for long amounts of time to use a lab-made type of erythropoietin called epoetin. In the s, it was common for pro cyclists to use erythropoietin.

But the drug may have played a role in at least 18 deaths. Doping with erythropoietin may raise the risk of serious health problems. These include stroke, heart attack and blocked arteries in the lung.

Diuretics are drugs that change the body's balance of fluids and salts. They can cause the body to lose water, which can lower an athlete's weight. Diuretics also may help athletes pass drug tests that check for signs of drugs in the urine.

They dilute the urine and may hide traces of drugs. Diuretics can cause side effects when you take them at any dose — even at doses that health care providers suggest. These drugs make athletes more likely to have side effects such as:.

Nutrients are vitamins and minerals in foods that are good for you. Some people try to get more nutrients from products called supplements. Supplements are sold in stores and online as powders or pills. One supplement that's popular with athletes is called creatine monohydrate.

The body makes its own creatine too. It helps muscles release energy. Creatine supplements may help athletes gain small, short-term bursts of power. Creatine seems to help muscles make more of an energy source called adenosine triphosphate ATP.

ATP stores and moves energy in the body's cells. It's used for activity that involves quick bursts of movement, such as weightlifting or sprinting. But there's no proof that creatine helps you do better at sports that make you breathe at a higher rate and raise your heart rate, called aerobic sports.

Some athletes try to gain weight so they can get bigger in size. Creatine may help you put on weight over time. But that might be due to the extra water that creatine causes the body to hold on to. Water is drawn into muscle tissue, away from other parts of the body. That puts you at risk of getting dehydrated.

Studies show that it's safe for healthy adults to use creatine for a short or long time. It's important to use the doses that creatine makers suggest on the package. Stimulants boost the levels of some chemicals in the brain. They also make the heart beat faster and raise blood pressure.

Common stimulants include caffeine and drugs called amphetamines. Cold medicines often have a stimulant in them. Energy drinks are popular among many athletes. They often have high doses of caffeine and other stimulants.

The street drugs cocaine and methamphetamine also are stimulants. Some athletes may seem to get an edge from performance-enhancing drugs. But doping can have bad effects on health. In general, the long-term effects of performance-enhancing drugs haven't been studied enough.

And any short-term perks come with risks. Doping is banned by most sports leagues and groups too. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Fitness. Sections Basics Fitness basics Stretching and flexibility Aerobic exercise Strength training Sports nutrition In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New. Products and services. Athletes and dedicated gym-goers are sometimes willing to use a number of substances to push the boundaries of sports performance and physique enhancement.

While some compounds can be quite effective for boosting performance, their safety is often highly questionable. One such substance is Cardarine, a controversial drug touted to promote weight loss and improve sports performance.

However, data on its effectiveness and safety is extremely limited. Cardarine, also referred to as GW, is a synthetic compound that serves as a metabolic modulator.

Compounds such as Cardarine act upon energy metabolism in the cells and are thought to increase energy expenditure. This is why some athletes and bodybuilders are attracted to taking Cardarine.

They may take it in hopes of increasing fat-burning, getting a leaner body composition, and increasing their sport performance.

Cardarine was originally discovered in the early s during a research collaboration between two large pharmaceutical companies. The initial proposed use was for the treatment of hyperlipidemia elevated fats in the blood , though later studies looked at its effectiveness for treating obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

While some initial research seemed promising, later studies in animals revealed that the drug caused cancer to develop rapidly in various organs. This caused research to be halted. Banned substances are defined as drugs or substances that sport competitors are prohibited from using because they may artificially enhance performance in competitions.

Due to its potential role as a metabolic modulator and performance enhancer, Cardarine was added to the list of banned substances controlled by the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA in 1. Sporting associations worldwide use WADA guidelines to test their athletes.

Subsequently, a number of athletes tested positive for the drug and faced the consequences, such as being excluded from competitions. Cardarine is a synthetic compound thought to boost metabolism and increase fat burning.

Researchers have suggested Cardarine may provide a number of health and performance-enhancing benefits. Keep in mind that the majority of studies on the drug were in animals, so these results may not apply to humans.

In theory, it may be able to increase fat burning capacity. This may be because the drug serves as a metabolic modulator by targeting a part of the cell that handles energy metabolism. Initial studies on Cardarine looked at its potential as a treatment for obesity.

An older study in mice found that Cardarine increased fatty acid oxidation resulting in less fat storage, reducing the incidence of obesity in mice given a high-calorie diet 2.

Researchers later suggested that Cardarine may stimulate PPAR in a similar way to exercise, so that taking it might mimic the effect of exercise in the body 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. If that were the case, it would mean people could use Cardarine to get some of the benefits of exercising without actually needing to exercise.

Unfortunately, while it sounds promising in theory, there are no high quality, long-term human studies to back this up. Researchers also investigated Cardarine for the prevention of type 2 diabetes , a condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin and thereby unable to efficiently process carbohydrates.

A more recent rodent study looked at the effect of using Cardarine on gestational diabetes , a condition in which pregnant people experience high blood sugar 7.

They found that rats with gestational diabetes treated with Cardarine had improvements in blood glucose and insulin levels, and less damage to their islet cells, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Lastly, one study actually found that Cardarine may help accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds , which people with advanced diabetes often develop due to a reduction in blood flow to certain body parts 8.

As you can see, most of the research in this area is in animals. Thus, even though the outcomes showed potential, they cannot be applied to humans and more research is needed.

Among the initial theorized uses for Cardarine was to improve blood lipid levels, which include your levels of the fats known as cholesterol and triglycerides. That said, only a limited number of studies have suggested that drugs such as Cardarine may affect fats in the blood.

One such human study from took a small group of 24 healthy volunteers and gave them either a placebo, 2. They found that the groups that received Cardarine experienced an increase in HDL good cholesterol, and a reduction in blood triglycerides. While these results are promising, this study design has not been replicated on a larger, long-term scale, thus recommendations cannot be made.

One of the more prominent uses people have suggested for Cardarine is to improve sports performance. Some users claim that it boosts stamina, endurance, workout capacity, and fat loss within a few days. That said, these claims lack reliable research backing, with only a limited number of animal studies available.

In one such study from , researchers looked at the effect of Cardarine use on the endurance running performance of mice They found that mice that had been given Cardarine experienced improvements in exhaustive running performance.

No human studies support the use of Cardarine for boosting stamina, workout capacity, or fat loss. Despite the lack of research, athletes are sometimes willing to try unusual methods to squeeze out even a small improvement in their performance.

However, in the case of Cardarine, the potentially severe side effects appear to outweigh any benefits. Thus, its use is not recommended.

The top purported benefits of Cardarine include weight loss, benefits for diabetes and obesity, improved blood lipids, and enhanced sports performance. In the early days of its discovery, research determined that Cardarine could cause cancer to rapidly develop in mice and rats if taken in doses of 1.

At this point, large pharmaceutical companies, which had previously funded the research, discontinued further studies on the drug. Considering the limited amount of research in humans, the extent of this and other side effects remains largely unknown among humans, making it quite risky to use Cardarine.

Early rodent studies found that higher doses of Cardarine may cause cancer to rapidly develop. Due to the limited number of studies in humans, the extent of such side effects is unknown.

In the limited human studies, participants received 2. However, these studies have not been replicated, so more research is needed to verify these findings 13 , While the limited human studies on Cardarine have used a dosing of 2.

Considering the lack of research and questionable availability, Cardarine use is not recommended. Due to the lack of research on Cardarine and its banned status in many sport associations, large pharmaceutical companies have stopped producing it.

Thus, its availability is extremely limited with the exception of a number of black market laboratories. Several questionable supplement companies sell what they claim to be Cardarine online, though most of these companies lack a proven track record or third party testing.

Thus these products are likely illegitimate and have a high risk of contamination. Cardarine is only available through a number of questionable black market laboratories due to its lack of backing from the pharmaceutical industry.

Cardarine, or GW, is a synthetic compound originally researched for the treatment of certain health conditions. It later gained attention for its potential performance-enhancing benefits.

Effectiveness: Several studies have found that GLP-1 agonists could be beneficial for weight management. For instance, one study with 1, adults found that taking 2. Another small study found that people taking liraglutide lost an average of Side effects: Common side effects include constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, infections, and indigestion.

Though uncommon, severe side effects have also been reported, which may require medical attention. These include kidney problems, thyroid C-cell tumors , gallbladder disease, low blood sugar, and suicidal ideation.

Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with multiple endocrine neoplasia MEN syndrome type 2, history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis, pregnancy, and current use of certain prescription medications. It can also be purchased over the counter as the brand Alli.

After a medical consultation, a doctor can prescribe orlistat. Certain telehealth services may also provide a prescription for this medication. How it works: Orlistat works by blocking the activity of certain enzymes used to break down fats in the digestive tract, which helps to reduce the amount of calories you absorb.

Effectiveness: According to a study of 80 people with obesity, those who took orlistat lost an average of They also experienced significant reductions in body mass index BMI , belly fat, and total and LDL bad cholesterol levels. Side effects: Orlistat often causes digestive issues like loose or oily stools, gas, and frequent bowel movements, making the medication difficult for some people to tolerate.

It could also contribute to nutrient deficiencies, including in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, or K. Following a low fat diet is typically recommended while taking this medication to help minimize adverse side effects.

Contraindications: chronic malabsorption, cholestasis a type of liver disease , pregnancy, renal impairment, and current use of certain prescription medications. It requires a prescription from a doctor and is sold under the brand Qsymia.

How it works: This medication includes phentermine , a central nervous system stimulant and appetite suppressant with similar mechanisms to amphetamine.

It also includes topiramate , an anticonvulsant that helps reduce appetite and enhance satiety feeling full to promote weight loss. It could also cause increased body temperature, an inability to sweat, and psychiatric or cognitive disturbances.

Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with glaucoma eye conditions that can lead to blindness , a history of hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, recent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and current use of certain prescription medications.

This medication, sold under the name Contrave, is an oral medication that combines bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, which is used to manage opioid or alcohol use disorder. A doctor can determine whether Contrave may be a good option for you and then provide a prescription.

Some online services may also prescribe Contrave following a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional. Over 1 year, participants lost an average of 11—22 lb 5—9 kg.

It might also increase heart rate and blood pressure. Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with a history of seizures, end-stage renal disease, pregnancy, and current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioids, or certain other prescription medications.

Setmelanotide, sold as Imcivree, is in a class of medications known as melanocortin 4 MC4 receptor agonists. How it works: People with specific genetic mutations may experience insufficient activation of the MC4 receptor in the brain, which could contribute to obesity.

Setmelanotide works by increasing the activation of this receptor, leading to reduced hunger, decreased calorie intake, and increased metabolism , all of which could promote weight loss. Participants also experienced a significant reduction in hunger with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported.

Another small study in children, adolescents, and adults found that setmelanotide significantly improved quality of life as early as 5 weeks after starting treatment, which could be related to reduced hunger and body weight. Side effects: Some of the most common side effects of setmelanotide include injection site reactions, hyperpigmentation , nausea, headache, diarrhea, and stomach or back pain.

Fatigue, vomiting, and depression have also been reported. Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with renal impairment, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

There are several anorectics, or appetite suppressants , available. However, phentermine Adipex-P or Lomaira is the most commonly prescribed.

Phentermine is taken orally and requires a prescription from a doctor or other healthcare professional. How it works: These medications reduce appetite by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to weight loss.

Effectiveness: One study in 3, people compared the effectiveness of several medications for obesity and found that people taking phentermine lost the highest percentage of body weight over 12 weeks.

Those taking phentermine lost an average of 8. However, keep in mind that these medications are only recommended for short-term use, as you can build up a tolerance after several weeks, resulting in decreased effectiveness.

Side effects: Potential side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Other severe side effects have been reported and require immediate medical attention, including shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling of the lower extremities.

Contraindications: This medication is not recommended for people with a history of heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, diabetes, pregnancy, and certain prescription medications.

Most weight loss medications are approved for adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition, such as:. Similarly, setmelanotide Imcivree , is intended to treat obesity caused by certain genetic disorders. Keep in mind that weight loss medications are not suitable for everyone, including people who are pregnant, those with certain health conditions, or individuals taking specific medications.

A healthcare professional can provide guidance on whether you might be a candidate for a prescription, depending on your personal goals, medical history, and health status. Contact a trusted healthcare professional, like your OB-GYN, before taking any weight loss medications or supplements.

Some digital weight loss platforms, including Ro and Calibrate, include GLP-1 medications in their treatment plans for people who meet certain eligibility criteria.

You can read our comprehensive reviews of Calibrate and Ro Health to learn more. Studies also suggest that people with higher body weights are disproportionately more likely to experience disordered eating and eating disorder symptoms.

These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an ED. Disordered eating and EDs can affect anyone, regardless of gender identity, race, age, body size, socioeconomic status, or other identities. They can be caused by any combination of biological, social, cultural, and environmental factors — not just by exposure to diet culture.

GLP-1 agonists are currently the most effective anti-obesity medications and are considered safe for long-term use. Currently, only liraglutide Saxenda , semaglutide Wegovy , and tirzepatide Zepbound are approved for weight loss, though some other GLP-1 drugs may be prescribed off-label.

Still, keep in mind that individual results can vary based on many factors, including your diet, health status, and activity level. In addition to maximizing your potential results, it can increase the likelihood of maintaining weight loss in the long term. If considered medically necessary, insurance companies may cover certain prescription weight loss medications.

Some manufacturers also offer savings cards, which can help lower your copay. Ozempic and Wegovy are two different brands of the same drug, semaglutide.

However, there are differences in the recommended dosage and how each is administered. Additionally, Wegovy is FDA approved for weight management.

Saxenda liraglutide , Wegovy semaglutide , and tirzepatide Zepbound are three GLP-1 medications recently approved for weight loss.

Other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic semaglutide , are also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management. Prescription medications have strong evidence to support their effectiveness for meaningful weight loss. Additionally, though they can promote weight loss and may even offer other health benefits, note that these medications are not suitable for everyone and can lead to weight regain once you stop taking them.

A doctor or other trusted healthcare professional can help you determine which is right for you and how to incorporate it into a healthy weight management plan. Obesity is a chronic condition, and medications are just one part of a treatment plan to help achieve and maintain weight loss.

Instead, they should be used only as directed and paired with a balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and regular physical activity for best results. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article tells you all you need to know about GLP-1 agonists like Wegovy, including whether they are safe and effective for weight loss.

How long you take a weight-loss drug depends on whether the drug helps you lose weight. If you've lost enough weight to improve your health and you haven't had serious side effects, your health care provider may suggest that you take the drug long term.

They may switch you to a different weight-loss drug. Six weight-loss drugs have been approved by the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA for long-term use:. Most prescription weight-loss drugs work by making you feel less hungry or fuller.

Some do both. The exception is orlistat. It affects the way your body absorbs fat. Bupropion-naltrexone is a combination drug. Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Bupropion is a drug to treat depression, called an antidepressant, and a drug to help people stop smoking, called a quit-smoking aid.

Like all antidepressants, bupropion carries a warning about suicide risk. Bupropion-naltrexone can raise blood pressure. So your provider will need to check your blood pressure regularly at the start of treatment. Common side effects include nausea, headache and constipation. Liraglutide also is used to manage diabetes.

It's given as a daily shot. Nausea is a common complaint. Vomiting may limit its use. You also can get orlistat in a reduced-strength form without a prescription Alli. Orlistat can cause side effects such as passing gas and having loose stools.

You need to follow a low-fat diet when taking this medicine. In rare cases, people have had serious liver injury with orlistat. But researchers haven't found that the drug causes liver injuries. Phentermine-topiramate is a combination of a weight-loss drug called phentermine and an anticonvulsant called topiramate.

Phentermine has the potential to be misused because it acts like a stimulant drug called an amphetamine. Other possible side effects include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, constipation, and nervousness.

Topiramate increases the risk of birth defects. Phentermine by itself Adipex-P, Lomaira also is used for weight loss. It's one of four similar weight-loss drugs approved for use for less than 12 weeks, called short-term use.

The other drugs in this group aren't often prescribed. Semaglutide also is used to help control type 2 diabetes. You take it as a weekly shot to manage obesity. The FDA has approved setmelanotide only for people age 6 and older who have obesity due to one of these rare inherited conditions:. To take the drug, you'll need to have test results that show you have one of these conditions.

Setmelanotide doesn't treat any of the gene problems that cause these conditions. But it can help you lose weight. It can lessen your appetite and make you feel fuller. And it may help you burn calories while your body is at rest. Never give setmelanotide to a child under 6 years old. It can cause newborns and babies to have dangerous reactions.

Weight-loss drugs aren't an easy answer to weight loss. But they may help you make the lifestyle changes that you need to practice to lose weight and improve your health. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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Sections Basics Weight-loss basics Diet plans The Mayo Clinic Diet Diet and exercise Diet pills, supplements and surgery In-Depth Expert Answers Multimedia Resources News From Mayo Clinic What's New. Products and services. Prescription weight-loss drugs Study the pros and cons of medicines to treat obesity.

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Show references AskMayoExpert. Weight management adult. Mayo Clinic; Obesity adult. Pilitsi E, et al. Pharmacotherapy of obesity: Available medications and drugs under investigation.

Perreault L. Obesity in adults: Drug therapy. Accessed Oct. Prescription medications to treat overweight and obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.