Determination of anabolic–androgenic steroid adulterants in counterfeit drugs by UHPLC–MS/MS

• The method was validated to screen for the presence of anabolic–androgenic steroids.
• Many counterfeit drugs (9/19) illegally include anabolic–androgenic steroids.
• Testosterone and testosterone 17-propionate were the most frequently detected.

Anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) have been illegally used in counterfeit drugs to improve the performance of athletes. In addition, AASs have been used for cosmetic purpose by non-athletes. To determine the presence of 26 AASs, an analysis method using ultra-liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) was developed and validated. The validated method was applied to 19 counterfeit drugs collected from the Internet and off-line markets during 2014. Nearly 50% (9/19) of the samples contained one of these 26 AASs. In addition, the concentration ranges of the AASs ranged from 0.09 to 119,228.57 mg/kg in the suspected samples. The determined AASs primarily consisted of testosterone and testosterone 17-propionate (26%) followed by boldenone (21%). These results indicate the adulteration of over-the-counter counterfeit drugs, and the continuous monitoring of counterfeit drugs or dubious dietary supplements containing anabolic steroids is warranted.

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