ISSA Bodybuilding Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Dianabol, known scientifically as methandrostenolone, is an example of a toxic oral steroid primarily because it is an alkylated steroid. Alkylation allows the steroid to survive the first pass through the liver, enabling it to be effective when taken orally. However, this modification can also impose significant stress on the liver, leading to potential toxicity and liver damage when used in high doses or over extended periods.

In contrast, while nandrolone, testosterone, and stanozolol are also anabolic steroids, they may have a different impact on liver health compared to Dianabol. For instance, nandrolone is often considered less hepatotoxic than other oral steroids, and testosterone is typically used in injectable forms that bypass liver stress altogether. Stanozolol, while also an oral anabolic steroid, is often regarded as less toxic than Dianabol but can still cause liver issues if abused.

This distinction highlights why Dianabol is singled out as a classic example of a toxic oral steroid, specifically due to its liver-related side effects linked to its alkylation.