Several cases have surfaced of gym trainers and bodybuilders using mephentermine injections to boost endurance and physical strength.
Published Oct 18, 2025 | 6:16 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2025 | 6:16 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Telangana’s DCA raided an unlicensed premises in Secunderabad, seizing 66 vials of Mephentermine Sulphate injections illegally sold to gym-goers for bodybuilding. The cardiac stimulant, meant for medical emergencies, poses severe health risks when misused. The raid, prompted by Kharkana Police, targets the growing trend of performance-enhancing drug abuse, with violators facing up to five years’ imprisonment under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
In a decisive move against the rising misuse of prescription stimulants in gyms, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, has seized large quantities of Mephentermine Sulphate Injection, a cardiac stimulant drug, being sold illegally to gym-goers in Secunderabad.
Officials said the crackdown aims to curb the growing trend of performance-enhancing drug abuse among fitness enthusiasts.
Acting on inputs from Karkhana Police, DCA officials from the Secunderabad Zone conducted a raid on an unlicensed premises at Namalagundu on 17 October. The premises, owned by one M Naresh, was allegedly used to stock and sell prescription-only drugs without a valid licence.
During the operation, the team seized 66 vials of Termiva and Termin injections, brands of Mephentermine Sulphate injection IP 30 mg/ml, illegally stored for sale to gym clients. The DCA confirmed that the drugs were being supplied specifically for “abuse in bodybuilding.”
“These are cardiac stimulant drugs that must only be administered under a doctor’s supervision. Their sale for non-medical use, especially in gyms, poses a serious public health threat,” said Smt D Saritha, Assistant Director, DCA Secunderabad, who led the raid.
The team included drugs inspectors B Govind Singh, P Renuka, and G Surendranath, and the operation was carried out under the supervision of Shahnawaz Qasim, IPS, Director General, DCA Telangana.
Officials warned that illegal possession and sale of such prescription drugs constitute a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, carrying imprisonment of up to five years.
Mephentermine sulphate is a cardiac stimulant and vasopressor used in hospitals to treat hypotension (low blood pressure) during spinal or surgical procedures. The drug works by triggering the release of noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter that increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Doctors caution that when misused, the same stimulant effects that save lives in medical emergencies can put healthy individuals at severe risk.
Across India, several cases have surfaced of gym trainers and bodybuilders using mephentermine injections to boost endurance and physical strength.
The recent death of bodybuilder and actor Varinder Singh Ghuman has brought additional public attention to the hidden cardiovascular risks in bodybuilders. The 42-year-old, known for his solid physique, reportedly suffered cardiac arrest during a routine shoulder surgery in Amritsar.
While there is no confirmed link to performance-enhancing drugs, his case underscores that even apparently healthy, muscular individuals may be at risk of serious cardiac events. Experts emphasise the importance of regular health check-ups, heart monitoring, and avoiding unprescribed stimulants to prevent such tragedies.
The Secunderabad raid is not an isolated incident. Similar crackdowns have taken place across Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka, where regulators have discovered Mephentermine Sulphate Injection being supplied directly to gym-goers by trainers or local chemists.
Similar incidents have been reported within India, with authorities uncovering gyms and unlicensed premises selling Mephentermine Sulphate Injections to bodybuilders for misuse.
Experts link the growing abuse to increased pressure to attain “instant fitness results” and social-media-driven body image expectations.
“Many young people are being lured by gym trainers promising quick muscle gains. These injections are neither safe nor approved for such use,” said Qasim in the official DCA statement.
He added that stimulant misuse “can cause irreversible harm,” urging the public to report any suspicious drug activity to the DCA’s toll-free number (1800-599-6969), operational on all working days.
The DCA press note warns that Mephentermine Sulphate Injection is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders, which can lead to serious cardiovascular disorders and may even result in death if not used under medical supervision.
The administration stressed that these injections are cardiac stimulants meant only for specific medical conditions, such as hypotension during surgery, and should be administered strictly according to a doctor’s prescription.
From a legal standpoint, the illegal stocking and sale of such prescription drugs to gym-goers constitutes a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and individuals involved are liable for imprisonment of up to five years.
The Telangana DCA’s recent action highlights the urgent need for vigilance in both the fitness industry and the community.
Authorities are encouraging citizens to report illegal sales or suspicious activity related to performance-enhancing substances, including anabolic steroids and stimulants.
“Fitness should never come at the cost of health,” officials reiterated. The DCA emphasized that genuine bodybuilding progress can only be achieved through balanced training, nutrition, and discipline, not by injecting cardiac stimulants meant for medical emergencies.
With enforcement tightening and awareness spreading, Telangana’s latest crackdown serves as both a warning and a reminder: shortcuts to strength often come with dangerous consequences.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
