The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (TGDCA) carried out surprise inspections at gyms across Hyderabad, uncovering multiple instances of illegal possession and sale of anabolic-androgenic steroids and cardiac stimulants, including Mephentermine Sulphate injections, commonly misused in bodybuilding.

The inspections, conducted at 20 gyms in areas such as Secunderabad, Mehdipatnam, Tolichowki, Malakpet, Punjagutta, Narsingi, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Kothapet, Kukatpally, and Suraram, were coordinated with local police authorities on Friday.

Experts warn that the misuse of anabolic steroids carries serious health risks. While these drugs are often abused to accelerate muscle growth, they can cause cardiovascular problems, liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and mood disorders. Prolonged misuse may even lead to infertility, kidney failure, and psychiatric complications.

Mephentermine Sulphate injections, intended to stabilize low blood pressure during surgical procedures under anesthesia, are not meant for bodybuilding, and their abuse can pose significant health hazards.