Heart & circulation
High blood pressure, heart attack and stroke are among the risks identified by Health Canada. Physical appearance does not tell you what is happening to cardiovascular health.
THE OVERVIEW ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC STEROIDS
STEROIDS
IN CANADA.
Testosterone. Anavar. Trenbolone. The names are familiar. Their medical uses, effects and place in Canadian law need a little more explanation.
Read the overview
01
THE BASICS
What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are substances related to testosterone. They can affect muscle growth and male sexual characteristics. That explains both their medical uses and their appeal in bodybuilding.
The word “steroid” also covers other medicines. Prednisone, for example, is a corticosteroid used for inflammation. It is a different subject, with different uses and risks. Here, “steroids” means anabolic-androgenic steroids, often shortened to AAS.
Background: CAMH’s steroid overview · Health Canada
02 / THE REFERENCE DESK
Know the name.
Then know the compound.
A brand name, a nickname and a generic drug name can describe the same substance. Start with these three introductions.
01Testosterone“Test”Read +
The hormone behind the terminology
Testosterone occurs naturally in the body. It is also available as a prescription medicine. “Testosterone replacement therapy,” or TRT, describes medical treatment; it does not describe every use of testosterone.
A prescription formulation, its intended medical use and the patient’s diagnosis all matter. The word “testosterone” on its own does not tell you whether a particular product or use is appropriate.
More on testosterone and TRT02OxandroloneAnavarRead +
What people mean by “Anavar”
Anavar is a name associated with oxandrolone. Health Canada lists oxandrolone among anabolic steroids found in bodybuilding products. A familiar name does not establish what is inside a product sold online.
When researching it, look for the generic name as well as the brand name. Treat descriptions such as “mild” as claims to investigate, rather than a substitute for product information.
Health Canada’s bodybuilding product guidance03Trenbolone“Tren”Read +
A nickname is only the beginning
“Tren” is shorthand for trenbolone, an anabolic steroid. Forum discussions often use the nickname without identifying a particular formulation or product.
For a Canadian product question, check the actual product and its regulatory status. A discussion of a compound is not evidence that a product containing it has been authorized for human use.
Look up a product in Health Canada’s databaseThis index introduces the terminology. It is not a prescribing guide or a list of products approved for sale.
03 / HEALTH & SIDE EFFECTS
The effects
you don’t see
in a gym mirror.
Muscle growth is only one part of the picture. Anabolic steroids can also affect the heart, liver, reproductive system and mood.
Read Health Canada’s risk summaryHormones & fertility
Possible effects include infertility, erectile dysfunction and testicular shrinkage. Women may experience changes such as a deeper voice and increased facial or body hair.
Liver, skin & mood
Liver damage, severe acne, hair loss and mood changes are also reported risks. Effects differ between substances and patterns of use.
04 / CANADIAN LAW
LEGAL?
IT DEPENDS
ON THE ACTIVITY.
Possession. Selling. Importing.
Canadian law treats them differently.
Anabolic steroids and their derivatives are listed in Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Possession
- The general possession prohibition in section 4(1) applies to Schedules I, II and III. Schedule IV is not included in that provision.
- Supply & production
- Other provisions restrict unauthorized trafficking and production involving Schedule IV substances.
- Crossing the border
- Import and export have their own restrictions. The possession distinction does not mean steroids can be freely ordered from abroad.
General context, not advice on an individual legal situation.
05 / QUESTIONS THAT COME UP
The details matter.
Three distinctions worth making before reading another product page or forum thread.
Is TRT the same as taking steroids?+
Testosterone is an anabolic-androgenic steroid. TRT refers to its use as replacement treatment for a diagnosed medical need. The distinction is the purpose of treatment, the prescribing decision and the follow-up—not a different category of hormone.
Bodybuilding use should not be described as TRT simply because testosterone is involved. Background: CAMH.
Why isn’t there one standard dosage?+
“Steroids” names a group of substances, not one medicine. A prescribed dose depends on the drug, formulation, condition being treated and patient. A number copied from someone else’s routine leaves out those details.
Medical prescribing information should be read with a prescriber or pharmacist. An online cycle or stack cannot establish a safe personal dose.
Can stopping cause withdrawal?+
Yes. CAMH describes symptoms including fatigue, low mood, sleep disturbance and a desire to keep using. Dependence can develop even though the experience differs from dependence on many other drugs.
If you are struggling to stop or experiencing severe mood changes, seek medical support. Read CAMH’s information on dependence.
THE READING LIST
Go to the source.
This page draws on Canadian health guidance and legislation. It has not been independently medically reviewed.