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drug_recall androstenedioneMarketed mainly as performance enhancers, androstenedione is a steroid precursor advertised to promote muscle growth, muscle strength, and to reduce fat. In 1998, after Mark McGwire broke the major league baseball homerun record and admitted he had used androstenedione, sales of the supplements took off. Androstenedione works by converting into a steroid after entering the body. When taken over time and/or in larger quantities, side effects of androstenedione can be very serious.
In March 2004, the FDA warned manufacturers to immediately stop distributing androstenedione containing products and sent letters informing 23 companies of the agency''s decision. The drug agency decided to issue the ban after studies have continued to indicate the side effects of androstenedione are very serious. Especially when taken by children and adolescents, the side effects of androstenedione can become life altering.
The use of androstenedione by professional, world-class athletes are especially concerning in light of the dangerous side effects of androstenedione that have been found to occur. Impressionable kids in hopes of becoming like their idolized sports hero may begin to use androstenedione upon learning that is what may have contributed to their athletic excellence. Major league baseball has been criticized for its failure to address the issue of side effects of androstenedione by joining other major pro sports leagues and banning the supplements.
There are naturally small amounts of androstenedione produced in the adrenal glands, ovaries, and testicles that convert into testosterone, a steroid hormone. In synthetic form, androstenedione is a steroid precursor, meaning it only turns into a steroid after being absorbed into the boy, creating side effects of androstenedione that can create feminine effects in boys and men and masculine effects in girls and women. The side effects of androstenedione are believed to be so severe that when the FDA issued its warnings to the 23 companies, they noted that failure to comply could result in seizure of inventory and legal action.
When children and adolescents use the supplement, side effects of androstenedione can cause significantly alterations in their development. These irreversible side effects of androstenedione can induce premature puberty so that there is early closure of the growth plates of long bones, stunting the adult stature the child or adolescent would have developed to. Other side effects of androstenedione in young supplement users can include disruption of normal sexual development.
One particular company targeted by the FDA''s recent androstenedione ban, Twinlab, has continued to defend the safety of its products by saying the supplements are safe and effective when used as directed. The side effects of androstenedione even if using the supplements in quantities not considered sufficient enough to provide obvious performance enhancing results can still be experienced regardless of age or gender for androgen and/or estrogen excess. If using the supplement in sufficient quantities, which for athletes is to affect anabolism, the side effects of androstenedione will be seen by the androgenic, estrogenic, and effects of sex hormones.
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson encouraged Congress to pass legislation co- sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Joe Bidden that would classify androstenedione as a controlled substance. This would allow the Drug Enforcement Agency to regulate androstenedione under the Controlled Substances Act. Critics hope the FDA androstenedione ban will raise public awareness of side effects of androstenedione and help get the bill a hearing.