As a number of sanctions have shown, LGD-4033 (also known as: Ligandrol, VK5211, Anabolicum) is just one of the many investigational drugs to be illegally included in supplements marketed to athletes and abused for its anabolic effects in recent years.
Here are five of the top things to know about the unapproved SARM LGD-4033.
What is LGD-4033?
LGD-4033 is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). While it is currently being investigated as a pharmaceutical treatment for muscle wasting and weakness associated with aging, LGD-4033 has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in humans.
Is LGD-4033 prohibited under the World Anti-Doping (WADA) Prohibited List?
Yes, LGD-4033 is prohibited under class S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents on the WADA Prohibited List. LGD-4033, and all SARMs, are prohibited at all times for all athletes, both in and out-of-competition.
How is LGD-0433 performance enhancing?
Because LGD-4033 has been shown to increase lean muscle mass, some athletes might abuse it for the anabolic, muscle-building effects. Even though it’s not legally available in medication anywhere in the world, there are laboratories that manufacture LGD-4033 and sell it as a “research chemical.” This is a red flag, and any product marketed for sport performance or muscle building that also claims to be for “research use only” or “not for human consumption” is especially risky and should be avoided by athletes.
Most notably, some products marketed as dietary supplements are spiked or contaminated with LGD-4033. Moreover, this may or may not be evident on the label. The FDA has clarified that LGD-4033 is not a legitimate dietary ingredient, and therefore it is illegal to sell this ingredient in supplements. Any dietary supplement that advertises to contain LGD-4033 would be considered an unapproved new drug by the FDA and should be avoided.
What are the health risks of using LGD-4033?
In addition to the risk of a positive test, LGD-4033 has not gone through the clinical studies necessary to establish safety, which means that the short and long-term effects of LGD-4033 are not fully known.
To date, we do know that LGD-4033 causes a decrease in the production of testosterone and other hormones, so there is evidence that it disrupts hormonal signaling in the body.
Can I get a TUE for LGD-4033?
No. As an investigational drug, there is no FDA-approved medical use for LGD-4033.
Need more information?
For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at drugreference@usada.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2.