Using bodybuilding products

Many bodybuilding products sold online and in retail stores are often marketed and labelled as dietary supplements when they aren’t. Often, these products contain hidden ingredients that may be harmful or are unapproved drugs which haven’t been reviewed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy and quality.

Health risks of using bodybuilding products

Anabolic steroids

Some unauthorized bodybuilding products may contain harmful ingredients such as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of the male hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids and their derivatives are regulated as controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act due to concerns about public health, safety and misuse.

If you take bodybuilding products with anabolic steroids, you’re exposed to a variety of risks including:

stroke
hair loss
infertility
severe acne
heart attack
liver damage
mood swings
erectile dysfunction
high blood pressure
aggressive behaviour
shrinking of the testicles

Additional health risks include the masculinization of women such as:

voice deepening
male-pattern baldness
reduction in breast tissue
excessive hair growth on the face, back and chest

Some examples of anabolic steroids found in bodybuilding products include:

stanozolol
nandrolone
oxandrolone
oxymetholone
metandienone
androstenedione
methyltestosterone
dehydrochloromethyltestosterone

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs)

Other bodybuilding products may contain selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) or claim to contain a SARM but may actually contain an entirely different drug. Like anabolic steroids, SARMs are synthetic drugs designed to have similar effects to testosterone. SARMs haven’t been authorized in Canada for any medical use.

SARMs are associated with serious safety concerns including:

hormonal suppression
heart and liver disease

Some examples of SARM ingredients include:

andarine (S4)
ostarine (MK-2866)
testolone (RAD-140)
ligandrol (LGD-4033)

Some examples of drugs claiming to be SARMs include:

myostine (YK-11)
ibutamoren (MK-677)
cardarine (GW 501516)

Injectable peptide drugs

Some injectable peptide drugs may be sold as bodybuilding products with claims to facilitate fat loss or enhance athletic performance. Peptides can mimic hormones and influence body processes. In Canada, injectable peptides are regulated as prescription drugs.

Using unauthorized injectable peptides can pose serious health risks including:

blood clots
mood swings
hormonal imbalances
liver or kidney damage
blood sugar imbalances
the growth of cancerous tumours

Injectable peptide drugs are often sold illegally under various names. These include:

KPV
HCG
DSIP
NAD+
SS-31
TB-500
GHK-Cu
MOTS-C
epitalon
BPC-157
CJC-1295
ipamorelin
retatrutide
tirzepatide
semaglutide
melanotan I and II

Health Canada continues to identify peptide products marketed as “For Research Use Only – Not for Human Consumption.” This type of labelling doesn’t make these products legal or exempt from regulatory requirements, and you shouldn’t use them.

Learn more

Think twice before injecting peptides you bought online

What you should do

If you're taking bodybuilding products that claim to contain any of these substances, stop taking them immediately because of the potentially serious health risks associated with their use.

We recommend that you:

consult with your health care provider about any bodybuilding products or supplements you’re taking or are planning to take, particularly if you’re not sure about their ingredients
talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms that may be associated with these products
dispose of unauthorized health products safely by following municipal or regional guidance for chemicals and other hazardous waste or take them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal
check the label before you buy
- In Canada, authorized prescription drugs have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN). You can also check whether a drug has been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database .
report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada

Make decisions on the use of prescription medications in consultation with a licensed health care provider. Buy prescription medications from a licensed pharmacy. Be aware of the risks of buying health products online.

Health Canada's role

Health Canada regulates health products to be sold in Canada to make sure they meet requirements for safety, efficacy and quality.

Health Canada takes appropriate action when it identifies unauthorized products that may pose serious health risks. This may include:

seizing unauthorized products
issuing communications informing consumers of the risks
working with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products

You can access a comprehensive list of recalls, advisories and safety alerts for various health products through the Recalls and safety alerts database.

If you buy a prescription drug or any health product online that hasn’t been authorized for sale in Canada, it may be refused entry or seized at the border. Health Canada continues to seize large quantities of unauthorized products at the border. Your package may be recommended for refusal to the CBSA or seized, if it’s suspected to be:

counterfeit
making false health claims
adulterated (contains an ingredient not listed on the label)
not meeting personal or commercial importation requirements

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2026-05-14

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