Open ProvincesWorkout Supplements, Steroids and Doping: Safety Checks in Canada
A natural-health product number is not a guarantee of benefit or suitability. Check ingredients, interactions, product status and sport rules before using a supplement.
Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.
Start with the facts that change the answer
Supplements can contain stimulants, undeclared ingredients or doses that interact with medicines or health conditions. An NPN or DIN-HM indicates a Health Canada licence for the product as authorized; it does not mean it is risk-free for every user. Anabolic steroids and other controlled substances have separate legal and medical risks, and products sold online may be counterfeit or contaminated.
Document your next step
Show the complete label to a pharmacist or clinician, especially during pregnancy or when taking prescriptions. Athletes should check the current anti-doping prohibited list and strict-liability rules before using a product; third-party testing cannot eliminate all risk. Report a suspected adverse reaction to Health Canada and stop use pending medical advice if a serious symptom occurs.
Health Canada: natural health products
Sources and limits
Source: Health Canada: natural health products. This guide is not medical advice; product licensing does not establish personal safety, and sport eligibility may follow separate anti-doping rules.
General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting.