GEC Laxoplex Was Spiked with Anabolic Steroids and Sold as Safe Non-Hormonal Alternative for Men and Women

Genetic Edge Compounds (GEC) sold a dietary supplement called GEC Laxoplex as a safe and non-hormonal muscle-building alternative to prohormones and anabolic steroids. GEC promoted Laxoplex as an “excellent choice for men or women” specifically because it had was not a steroid and didn’t have any negative side effects.

It sounds like a great product for those who wanted to avoid the side effects that often accompany steroids. This is especially true for women who can suffer several undesirable masculinizing side effects from over-the-counter dietary supplements containing prohormones and synthetic steroidal ingredients. Many women don’t want to mess with the possibility of things like facial hair, unwanted body hair or male patterned hair loss.

GEC was clearly targeting this more conservative consumer market. Unfortunately, GEC was selling a lie to its customers. Laxoplex actually contained “anabolic steroids and steroid like substances” according to independent laboratory testing conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). GEC recalled Laxoplex after it was contacted by the FDA.

“Genetic Edge Compounds recalled all lot codes of GEC Laxoplex dietary supplement capsules distributed between February 2, 2015- May 2, 2017 to the retail level and consumer level. FDA analysis found GEC Laxoplex to be tainted with anabolic steroids and steroid like substances,” according to an FDA Safety Alert posted on May 8, 2017. “The presence of these anabolic steroids and steroid like substances in GEC Laxoplex renders it an unapproved drug for which safety and efficacy have not been established and therefore subject to recall.”

Apparently, GEC failed to disclose the presence of synthetic steroids in Laxoplex. The Laxoplex label only listed several benign dietary ingredients such as NAC (N-acetyl L-cysteine), stinging nettle extract and rosemary leaf extract. There was no indication that it contained any type of steroids. The accompanying marketing literature emphasized that Laxoplex did not contain steroids, was completely “non-hormonal”, had absolutely “no hormonal impact” and required “no PCT”.

Informed and consenting adults should have the right to choose to use anabolic steroids to improve their performance and physical appearance. There is nothing wrong with this. But this requires that companies honestly disclose the ingredients in the products that they sell.

When a company sells anabolic steroids and what is on the label is in the vial or bottle, the consumer knows exactly what they are getting. However, when a company secretly includes anabolic steroids in their products while insisting the product contains no steroidal ingredients, consumers are tricked and defrauded. Individuals should never be given steroids without their knowledge and full consent. The FDA did the right thing in pursuing action against GEC.