UPDATE 9 August 2024: Carotenuto has been banned by NADO Italia until 5 May 2027.

The Italian National Anti-Doping Court has preliminarily suspended amateur Italian cyclist Giuseppe Carotenuto after anti-doping tests allegedly revealed the presence of Metandienone, an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) drug banned at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The 54 year-old road and MTB cyclist, racing for Team Over The Top Bike, won the E-bike MTB championship series race at XC del Vesuvio on 14 April 2024 in Torre del Grecco, Italy.

Metandienone was developed in the 1950s to treat burn victims, the elderly to help with muscle wasting, and prescribed off-label as a performance enhancing drug for athletes, but was banned from sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1974. Also known as Methandienone or Methandrostenolone, it is now primarily produced in Asia under the brand name Dianabol (D-Bol), among others, and has been found off-label in dietary supplements.

As an AAS drug it is often used by athletes because of its low cost, widespread availability and effectiveness in adding muscle mass and strength. In a 2023 interview, former Governor of California and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted using Metandienone extensively as a professional bodybuilder to win seven Mr. Olympia titles.

Like most AAS drugs it comes with significant potential side effects, including: voice changes, male pattern baldness, breast enlargement, high blood pressure and liver damage.

Photo Credit: Astko Life Sciences

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