Durabolin® (nandrolone phenylpropionate)
Androgenic 37
Anabolic 125
Standard Testosterone
Chemical Names 19-norandrost-4-en-3-one-17beta-ol 17beta-hydroxy-estr-4-en-3-one
Estrogenic Activity low
Progestational Activity moderate
Description:
Nandrolone phenylpropionate is an injectable form of the anabolic steroid nandrolone. The properties of this drug are strikingly similar to those of Deca-Durabolin®, which uses the slower acting drug nandrolone decanoate. The primary difference between these two preparations is the speed in which nandrolone is released into the blood. While nandrolone decanoate provides a release of nandrolone from the area of injection lasting approximately 3 weeks, nandrolone phenylpropionate is active for only about a week. In clinical situations, DecaDurabolin can thus be injected once every 2 or 3 weeks, while Durabolin® is usually administered every several days to once weekly. Otherwise, the two drugs are virtually interchangeable. Like Deca-Durabolin, Durabolin is valued by athletes and bodybuilders for its abilities to promote strength and lean muscle mass gains without significant estrogenic or androgenic side effects.
History:
Nandrolone phenylpropionate was first described in 1957.487 It became a prescription medication shortly after, sold by the international pharmaceuticals giant Organon under the brand name Durabolin. When first introduced to the United States, indicated uses of nandrolone phenylpropionate included pre-and postoperative lean mass retention, osteoporosis, advanced breast cancer, weight loss due to convalescence or disease, geriatric states (general weakness and frailty), burns, severe trauma, ulcers, adjunct therapy with certain forms of anemia, and
selective cases of growth and development retardation in children. During the 1970's, the FDA began revising the indicated uses of this drug, however, and they were soon significantly narrowed. Moving forward, the drug was mainly being indicated for the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer, and as adjunct therapy for the treatment of senile and post-menopausal osteoporosis.
Durabolin was a key focus of Organon's marketing efforts 220
OH
Nandrolone
only for well less than a decade following its release. Once _ Deca-Durabolin was introduced during the 1960's, this shorter-acting counterpart, although still available, started to take a back seat. Durabolin was not completely abandoned by Organon, however, partly due to the fact that it was given a slightly different set of therapeutic uses in certain countries, and therefore continued to hold onto a niche market. As the size of the anabolic steroid market continued to grow throughout the 1970's and '80's, it was nandrolone decanoate that was attracting the most attention of other drug manufacturers. Numerous drug companies had produced their own versions of nandrolone phenylpropionate over the years, however,and the drug remains fairly available today. Organon continues to sell its original brand of Durabolin as well, but only in select markets, most notably Portugal, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Netherlands, Finland, and Taiwan.
How Supplied:
Nandrolone phenylpropionate is available in select human drug markets. Composition and dosage may vary by country and manufacturer, but usually contain 25 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL of steroid dissolved in oil.
Structural Characteristics:
Nandrolone phenylpropionate is a modified form c nandrolone where a carboxylic acid ester (propionil
phenyl este~) has been attached to the 17-beta hydrox)
group. Esterified steroids are less polar than free steroidJ, and are absorbed more slowly from the area of injectio(\ Once in the bloodstream, the ester is removed to yield fre~ (active) nandrolone. Esterified steroi~s are designed. t1prolong the window of therapeutic effect followln~ administration, allowing for a less frequent injectiOjl schedule compared to injections of free (unesterified steroid. Nandrolone phenylpropionate provides a shar I spike in nandrolone release 24-48 hours following deeP
I
intramuscular injection, and declines to near baseline: levels within a week.
--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
William Llewellyn's j'NABOLICS, 91h ed.
Side Effects (Estrogenic):
Nandrolone has a low tendency for estrogen conversion, estimated to be only about 200/0 of that seen with testosterone.488 This is because while the liver can convert nandrolone to estradiol, in other more active sites of steroid aromatization such as adipose tissue nandrolone is far less open to this process.489 Consequently, estrogenrelated side effects are a much lower concern with this drug than with testosterone. Elevated estrogen levels may still be noticed with higher dosing, however, and may cause side effects such as increased water retention, body fat gain, and gynecomastia. An anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate may be necessary to prevent estrogenic side effects if they occur. One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex® (anastrozole), which more efficiently controls estrogen by preventing its synthesis. Aromatase inhibitors can be quite expensive in comparison to anti-estrogens, however, and may also have negative effects on blood lipids.
It is of note that nandrolone has some activity as a progestin in the body.49o Although progesterone is a c-19 steroid, removal of this group as in 19-norprogesterone creates a hormone with greater binding affinity for its corresponding receptor. Sharing this trait, many 19-nor anabolic steroids are shown to have some affinity for the progesterone receptor as wel1.491 The side effects associated with progesterone are similar to those of estrogen, including negative feedback inhibition of testosterone production and enhanced rate offat storage. Progestins also augment the stimulatory effect of estrogens on mammary tissue growth. There appears to be a strong synergy between these two hormones here, such that gynecomastia might even occur with the help of progestins, without excessive estrogen levels. The use of an anti-estrogen, which inhibits the estrogenic component of this disorder, is often sufficient to mitigate gynecomastia caused by nandrolone.
ilSide Effects (Androgenic):
Although classified as an anabolic steroid, androgenic side effects are still possible with this substance, especially with higher doses. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne, and body/facial hair growth. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are warned of the potential virilizing effects of 3nabolic/androgenic steroids. These may include a jeepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes n skin texture, facial hair growth, and clitoral ~nlargement. Nandrolone is a steroid with relatively low lndrogenic activity relative to its tissue-building actions, naking the threshold for strong androgenic side effects omparably higher than with more androgenic agents
such as testosterone, methandrostenolone, or fluoxymesterone.lt is also important to point out that due to its mild androgenic nature and ability to suppress endogenous testosterone, nandrolone is prone to interfering with libido in males when used without another androgen.
Note that in androgen-responsive target tissues such as the skin, scalp, and prostate, the relative androgenicity of nandrolone is reduced by its reduction to dihydronandrolone (DHN).492 493 The S-alpha. reductase enzyme is responsible for this metabolism of nandrolone. The concurrent use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as finasteride or dutasteride will interfere with sitespecific reduction of nandrolone action, considerably increasing the tendency of nandrolone to produce androgenic side effects. Reductase inhibitors should be avoided with nandrolone if low androgenicity is desired.
Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):
Nandrolone is not c-17 alpha alkylated, and not known to have hepatotoxic effects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.
Side Effects (Cardiovascular):
Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL (good) cholesterol values and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL to LDL balance in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum lipids is dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral vs. injectable), type of steroid (aromatizable or non-aromatizable), and level of resistance to hepatic metabolism. Studies administering 600 mg of nandrolone decanoate per week for 10 weeks demonstrated a 26% reduction in HDL cholesterol levels.494 This suppression is slightly greater than that reported with an equal dose of testosterone enanthate, and is in agreement with earlier studies showing a slightly stronger negative impact on HDL/LDL ratio with nandrolone decanoate as compared to testosterone cypionate.495 Nandrolone should still have a significantly weaker impact on serum lipids than c-17 alpha alkylated agents. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely effect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.
To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per
221
\
William Llewellyn's ANABDLleS, 9th ed.
day) and a natural cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a product with comparable ingredients is also recommended.
Side Effects (Testosterone Suppression):
All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. Studies administering 100 mg injection of nandrolone phenylpropionate demonstrated a rapid suppression of serum testosterone following a single injection. Testosterone levels declined to approximately 300/0 of initial level by day 3 after drug administration, and stayed suppressed for approximately 13 days. Regular use is expected to significantly lengthen the endogenous hormone recovery window. It is believed that the progestational activity of nandrolone notably contributes to the suppression of testosterone synthesis during therapy, which can be marked in spite of a low tendency for estrogen conversion.496 Without the intervention of testosterone-stimulating substances, testosterone levels should return to normal within 2-6 months of drug secession. Note that prolonged hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can develop secondary to steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.
The above side effects are not inclusive. For more detailed discussion ofpotential side effects, see the Steroid Side Effects section ofthis book.
Administration (Men):
For general anabolic effects, early prescribing guidelines recommend a dosage of 25-50 mg per week for 12 weeks. The usual dosage for physique-or performanceenhancing purposes is in the range of 200-400 mg per week, taken in cycles 8 to 12 weeks in length. This level is sufficient for most users to notice measurable gains in lean muscle mass and strength. Note that due to the fastacting nature of the phenylpropionate ester, the weekly dosage is usually subdivided into 2 separate applications spaced evenly apart.
Administration (Women):
For general anabolic effects, early prescribing guidelines recommend a dosage of 25-50 mg per week for 12 weeks. When used for physique-or performance-enhancing purposes, a dosage of 50 mg per week (given in a single weekly injection) is most common, taken for cycle lasting 4 to 6 weeks. Higher doses or longer durations of use are discouraged due to potential for androgenic side effects. Although only slightly androgenic, women are occasionally confronted with virilization symptoms when taking this compound. Should virilizing side effects become a concern, nandrolone phenylpropionate should be discontinued immediately to help prevent a permanent appearance.
Availability:
Although produced in a fair number of countries, Durabolin® in not commonly found due to the high selling price and low strength of the Organon preparations. A single 50 mg ampule could cost as much as S15 when sold on the black market, which is usually the same price for 200 mg. Often the only strength available is the 25 mg version, which can be even less cost effective. The Organon preparations are not subject to high levels of counterfeiting, and can usually be trusted when located.
Superanabolon from Spofa in the Czech Republic is also still in manufacture. It contains only 25 mg of steroid per 1 mL ampule, which makes it in relatively low demand among athletes. Still, it is a reputable product, with no major problems of fakes.
Iran Hormone (Iran) makes a 25 mg/mL generic nandrolone phenylpropionate in 1 mL ampules.
