Steroids used safely

Anabolic steroids cannot be used safely except under a doctor’s supervision. However, if you have chosen to use anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes, you might be able to reduce the risk of side effects if you:

• lower the dose, or limit use to a few weeks at a time, to give your body a rest
• never inject anabolic steroids directly into the same area of your body
• do not inject them into the biceps, calf or pectoral muscles (to avoid nerve damage)
• always use clean needles to reduce the risk of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and other blood-borne viruses — never share needles with other people
• do not combine anabolic steroids with caffeine or alcohol (which remove water from the body), or with other drugs such as amphetamines