The drug used to increase muscle mass but whose side effects include heart disease, liver cancer, high blood pressure, septic shock, impotence, genital atrophy, and mood swings is:

• A. Demerol
• B. Creatine
• C. Anabolic steroids
• D. Diatonic steroids

Answer: (C)

Anabolic steroids are synthetic forms of testosterone used to boost muscle growth by increasing protein synthesis in muscle tissue. They’re effective at increasing muscle mass and strength, which is why they’re sometimes misused by athletes. But this comes with a heavy price tag: long-term or high-dose use can strain the heart and raise blood pressure, cause liver damage including liver cancer, and disrupt the endocrine system in ways that lead to impotence and genital atrophy. Mood swings and aggression are also commonly reported due to hormonal imbalances. The mention of septic shock reflects the broader risk of severe infections that can accompany immune system suppression with steroid misuse. Creatine is a common dietary supplement with relatively mild risks at recommended doses, not the same suite of serious systemic side effects. Demerol is an opioid, unrelated to muscle-building, and diatonic steroids isn’t a standard term in this context. Thus, the drug described is anabolic steroids.