Abuse of supraphysiologic doses of anabolic steroids.

The following article is a literature review of supraphysiologic doses of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). This article contains a brief review of the history of AAS, the chemistry of the varying forms of AAS, and proposed mechanisms of action. The article then focuses on how AAS are used in an illicit manner by the general population. Terms such as "stacking" and "pyramiding" are discussed. The article concludes by looking at the major detrimental side effects, such as liver damage and cardiovascular changes, which physicians may encounter when treating AAS abusers.