Selling androgenic anabolic steroids by the pound: identification and analysis of popular websites on the Internet

Cordaro, F. G.; Lombardo, Simona; Cosentino, Marco

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01263.x

Cited by 59 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(25 reference statements)

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nearly half of sites recommended specific AAS "cycles" or "stacks" at doses twofold to fourfold higher than medically recommended, but less than a third described the risk with AAS use with most side effects characterized as "mild" (Cordaro et al, 2011). Uniquely, this study cross-referenced advertised chemical names with online chemical databases and determined many products to be counterfeit (Cordaro et al, 2011). In contrast to the findings in the present study, only one site offered a refund or reshipment in the event of customs seizure, and two sites required a minimum amount for shipments to military (APO/AE) addresses (Cordaro et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To date, only a handful of other studies have characterized the information available on the Internet for AAS consumption or AAS agents available for purchase (Brennan et al, 2013;Clement et al, 2012;Cordaro et al, 2011;Cramer et al, 2005). While the methods were unscientific and poorly described, the first and only study to evaluate in detail the purchasing process of AAS over the Internet without a prescription was a 2005 report from the USGAO (Cramer et al, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, an Italian study using a Google search evaluated 30 websites advertising AAS for sale reported numerous AAS products available per site including non-AAS hormones (40% to 60%), postcycle recovery agents (20% to 60%), ED agents (56%), and other agents to minimize AAS toxicity (3% to 33%) (Cordaro et al, 2011). Nearly half of sites recommended specific AAS "cycles" or "stacks" at doses twofold to fourfold higher than medically recommended, but less than a third described the risk with AAS use with most side effects characterized as "mild" (Cordaro et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, a 2005 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (USGAO) suggested that nearly half of websites offering AAS actually sell them over the Internet, with the remaining sites serving as fake storefronts or shipping counterfeit products (Cramer, Kaneshiro, Rodriguez, & Egan, 2005). Other data have more comprehensively evaluated the quantity and quality of information available on the Internet for AAS consumption, but characterization of the online availability and purchasing process of AAS has been poorly described (Brennan, Kanayama, & Pope, 2013;Clement, Marlowe, Patapis, Festinger, & Forman, 2012;Cordaro, Lombardo, & Cosentino, 2011). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the availability and ease of purchase for AAS, testosterone, and other non-AAS therapies on the Internet from the perspective of a typical consumer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Availability and Acquisition of Illicit Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Testosterone Preparations on the Internet

2016

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The lifetime prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) use in the United States is over 1%. Recent reports have suggested AAS can easily be obtained over the Internet without a prescription, but this has been poorly studied. This study focused on determining the availability and ease of purchase for AAS, testosterone, and other non-AAS therapies on the Internet from the perspective of a typical consumer. A Google search was performed and the topranking sites offering AAS for sale were individually evaluated for selection of AAS offered, the purchasing process, and additional consumer information to support AAS use. The current results revealed that 87% of sites offered commonly used forms of AAS, injectable testosterone, and non-AAS hormone therapies. Seventy-five percent offered at least one postcycle recovery agent and 62% offered at least one erectile dysfunction medication. No site required a prescription for purchase of any substance, 75% accepted common forms of payment including credit card, and all sites were supplied by unregulated international pharmacies providing shipment to home addresses with disclaimers that consumers are liable to local laws. Seventy-five percent of sites provided specific cycle and stacking recommendations, 62% provided postcycle recovery information, but only one site offered information on non-AAS alternatives. In conclusion, AAS, injectable testosterone, and other non-AAS therapies are readily available and remarkably easy to purchase on the Internet without a prescription. It is of paramount importance that clinicians are aware of this considerable public health problem given the detrimental physiologic effects including infertility and sexual dysfunction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The Availability and Acquisition of Illicit Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Testosterone Preparations on the Internet

2016

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Profiling online recreational/prescription drugs' customers and overview of drug vending virtual marketplaces

Orsolini

Francesconi

Papanti

et al. 2015

Human Psychopharmacology

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The internet and social networking sites play a significant role in the marketing, sale and the distribution of drugs. The internet is being used both as a source of information and communication but also as a tool to disseminate drug-related websites and sell controlled substances without prescriptions. Our review aims to obtain knowledge concerning the profile of the online drug consumer and the determinants of internet preference. PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases were searched without any language limitations by using a set of keywords. For each set of keywords we evaluated all articles providing socio-demographic characteristics of online drug consumers; reasons for purchasing online drugs; risks related to the online shopping of medicaments and features of illicit/legitimate commercial sites. All data has been analysed and compared for these specified clusters. Results report a majority of Caucasian males in their twenties, both in internet users and drug user/abusers. Several studies reported that the men usually perceive less risks, are more likely to turn to the internet as a source of prescription drugs and, subsequently, more likely to buy drugs and illegal substances online. On the other hand, women were noted as more likely to search for health information. The protection of identity by screen pseudonyms, variety and quality of product listings, selection of vendors based on review feedbacks, reduced personal risks, forum activity and the availability of a service for prescriptiononly drugs stimulate the growth and development of both OPs and drug marketplaces.

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Extraction and analytical approaches in the forensic evaluation of anabolic androgenic steroid formulations

Berneira

Poletti

Freitas

et al. 2021

WIREs Forensic Science

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Anabolic androgenic steroids are controlled or prohibited substances worldwide since their abusive usage can lead to extensive side effects. For forensic purposes, apprehended formulations of anabolic agents have to be analyzed to determine their components as well as possible adulterants and contaminants. Nevertheless, there are no comprehensive reviews in the field in order to compile the methods and analytical techniques that have been described so far.Therefore, the aim of this work was to review the analytical techniques and methods of extraction available for the analysis of formulations of anabolic agents. In this sense, 76 research works that analyzed formulations of anabolic agents from 1979 to 2021 were reviewed and distributed under the extraction methods and the analytical techniques employed by the authors. Generally, ultrasonic-assisted extraction associated with methanol as extractor solvent is the procedure of choice with little contribution of solid or liquid-liquid extraction. According to the literature, there are several analytical tools available for the analysis of these substances, although gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry as well as spectroscopic techniques are frequently employed. Nonetheless, novel techniques have been developed in order to decrease analysis time, cost, and sample preparation, which are important features in the expressive numbers of anabolic agents apprehended yearly. Therefore, the application of adequate methods of extraction coupled to suitable analytical techniques can be efficient forensic tools in order to contest the illicit supply of anabolic androgenic steroids providing consistent evidence to legal courts.

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Selling androgenic anabolic steroids by the pound: identification and analysis of popular websites on the Internet

Cited by 59 publications

References 22 publications

The Availability and Acquisition of Illicit Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Testosterone Preparations on the Internet

The Availability and Acquisition of Illicit Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Testosterone Preparations on the Internet

Profiling online recreational/prescription drugs' customers and overview of drug vending virtual marketplaces

Extraction and analytical approaches in the forensic evaluation of anabolic androgenic steroid formulations

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