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Are SARMs legal in South Africa?

Healthnews24 editorial deskUpdated 2 min read
Answer first

SARMs (selective androgen receptor modulators such as ostarine and LGD-4033) have not been approved for human use and are not available on prescription in South Africa, so they cannot legitimately be sold as supplements. They are prohibited at all times in sport, and carry liver, heart and fertility risks. A 15-year-old South African schoolboy received a four-year ban in 2020.

  • SAIDS: SARMs have not been approved for human use and are not available as prescription medication in South Africa.
  • SARMs are prohibited in and out of competition under WADA Section S1 (Anabolic Agents).
  • A 2020 SAIDS case: a 15-year-old tested positive for three SARMs and received a four-year ban.
  • A JAMA study of 44 internet-sold SARM products found only 52% contained SARMs.

What are SARMs?

Selective androgen receptor modulators are experimental drugs designed to act on muscle and bone like anabolic steroids with fewer side effects. Names include ostarine (enobosarm, MK-2866), LGD-4033 (ligandrol) and RAD140. None has been approved as a medicine for human use. They are sold online as "research chemicals", "legal steroids" or hidden inside supplements.

SAIDS states that SARMs have not been approved for human use and are not available as prescription medication in South Africa or in most other countries. Because they are not registered medicines, a retailer cannot lawfully market them as a medicine or supplement, and a product that claims to build muscle or treat a condition would be a medicine that needs registration under the Medicines Act. SARMs are not named individually in the Schedule 7 text we read, and we did not find an official South African ruling on penalties for personal possession, so we make no claim about possession; if you are unsure of your legal position, take advice from an attorney. For sport the position is clear.

What is the position in sport?

SARMs fall under Section S1 (Anabolic Agents) of the WADA Prohibited List and are prohibited in and out of competition, with no exceptions. Under strict liability, buying a "supplement" that secretly contains a SARM and testing positive is still a doping violation (failed drug tests and supplements). SAIDS has handled cases in school sport: in 2020 a 15-year-old tested positive for LGD-4033, RAD140 and enobosarm and an Independent Doping Tribunal panel imposed a four-year ban in November 2020; the chair called three prohibited substances in a schoolboy "alarming", and the panel recommended the case be reported to the school, education authorities, the police and child welfare services.

What are the health risks?

SAIDS cites research linking RAD-140 and LGD-4033 to severe drug-induced liver injury, and material from the US FDA associates SARMs with:

  • liver damage and kidney injury,
  • increased risk of heart attack and stroke,
  • testicular shrinkage and male infertility.

Long-term safety in humans is unknown.

Can you trust a SARM label?

No. A JAMA study of 44 internet-sold SARM products found only 52% actually contained SARMs, and many were inaccurately labelled. USADA warns that ostarine may be sold as "legal steroids" or under other names, or left off the label entirely. So even a buyer who wants a specific compound cannot know what they are taking.

What should you do?

  • Do not buy SARMs or "legal steroid", "prohormone" or "test booster" products.
  • Avoid muscle-building products that do not list ingredient amounts; AIS places SARMs, prohormones and herbal testosterone boosters in Group D (what supplements are banned).
  • If you have taken one, see a doctor and mention it; a liver panel may be sensible.
  • Parents: raise it with your child's doctor and school if you find SARM products (under-18 supplement guide).
  • Evidence-based legal options are limited but real: protein and creatine monohydrate with resistance training (how much creatine per day).

Sources

  1. SAIDS: SARMs, what athletes need to know
  2. Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework: Group D
  3. SAIDS (South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport) FAQ: supplements, strict liability, medication check
  4. Van Wagoner RM et al. (2017) Chemical composition and labeling of substances marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators and sold via the internet. JAMA

Educational information only, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease.

Cite this page: Healthnews24, “Are SARMs legal in South Africa?”, updated 27 October 2026, https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/what-are-sarms-and-are-they-legal-south-africa/. Plain-text version: /answers/what-are-sarms-and-are-they-legal-south-africa.md