Sports supplement are considered a dietary supplement that also called ergogenic aids are products used to enhance athletic performance that may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or botanicals (plants) or any concentration, extract, or combination of these. These products are generally available over the counter without a prescription.

Some over-the-counter medicines and prescription medications, including anabolic steroids, are used to enhance performance but they are not considered supplements. Although medications are FDA approved, using medicines even over-the-counter ones in ways other than their intended purpose puts the user at risk of serious side effects. For example, teen athletes who use medications like human growth hormone (hGH) that haven't been prescribed for them may have problems with development and hormone levels.