[h=1]Anabolics 101 - Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)[/h]
Description
Deca-Durabolin is an injectable form of the anabolic steroid nandrolone. Nandrolone is very similar to testosterone in structure, although it lacks a carbon atom at the 19[SUP]th[/SUP] position (hence its other name, 19-nortestosterone). Like testosterone, nandrolone exhibits relatively strong anabolic properties. Unlike testosterone, however, its tissue-building activity is accompanied by weak androgenic properties. Much of this has to do with the reduction of nandrolone to a weaker steroid, dihydronandrolone, in the same androgen-responsive target tissues that potentiate the action of testosterone (by converting it to DHT). The mild properties of nandrolone decanoate have made it one of the most popular injectable steroids worldwide, highly favored by athletes for its ability to promote significant strength and lean muscle mass gains without strong androgenic or estrogenic side effects.
Nandrolone decanoate (ND) was first described in 1960, and became a prescription medication in 1962. It was developed by the international pharmaceuticals giant Organon, and sold under the brand name Deca-Durabolin. The name Deca-Durabolin denotes that the product contains a variant of Organon’s previously popular nandrolone injectable Durabolin (nandrolone phenylpropionate), but using an ester of 10 carbon atoms. This greatly extends the release of nandrolone from the site of injection, such that ND lasts up to three weeks. With this advance, Organon expanded the market for nandrolone products rapidly. Probably owing to a combination of its favorable properties and the large market presence of Organon, Deca-Durabolin soon became one of the most widely distributed anabolic steroids in the world.
Nandrolone decanoate is widely available in human and veterinary drug markets. Composition and dosage may vary by country and manufacturer, but usually contain 25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml or 200 mg/ml of steroid dissolved in oil.
Effective Dosages
The usual dosage for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes is the range of 200-600 mg per week for men, which is taken in cycles eight to 12 weeks in length. This level is sufficient for most users to notice measurable gains in lean muscle mass and strength. Deca is not known as a very “fast” builder. The muscle-building effect of this drug is quite noticeable, but not dramatic. In general, one can expect to gain muscle weight at about half the rate of that with an equal amount of testosterone.
When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes by women, a dosage of 50 mg per week is most common, which is taken for four to six weeks. Although only slightly androgenic, women are occasionally confronted with virilization symptoms when taking this compound. Studies have demonstrated high tolerability (minor but statistically insignificant incidence of virilizing side effects) with a dose of 100 mg every other week for 12 weeks, while long-term studies (+12 months of use) have demonstrated virilizing side effects on a dose as low as 50 mg every two to three weeks.
Side Effects
Estrogenic: Nandrolone has a low tendency for estrogen conversion, estimated to be only about 20 percent of that seen with testosterone.Consequently, estrogen-related 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. Anti-estrogens such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate are commonly applied to prevent estrogenic side effects. One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex[SUP]®[/SUP] (anastrozole), which more efficiently controls estrogen by preventing its synthesis. It is of note that nandrolone also has some activity as a progestin in the body. The side effects associated with progesterone are similar to those of estrogen, including negative feedback inhibition of testosterone production, an enhanced rate of fat storage, and gynecomastia.
Androgenic: Although classified as an anabolic steroid, androgenic side effects are still possible with this substance. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne and body/facial hair growth. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are warned of the potential virilizing effects of AAS. These may include a deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth and clitoral enlargement. Nandrolone is a steroid with relatively low androgenic activity relative to its tissue-building actions, making the threshold for strong androgenic side effects comparably higher than with more androgenic agents such as testosterone, methandrostenolone or fluoxymesterone. It 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.
Liver Toxicity: Nandrolone is not c-17 alpha alkylated, and not known to have hepatotoxic effects in healthy subjects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.
Cardiovascular: AAS can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. They may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction. People with high cholesterol or a familial history of heart disease should be especially careful when considering AAS abuse. Studies administering 600 mg of nandrolone decanoate per week for 10 weeks demonstrated a 26 percent reduction in HDL cholesterol levels. 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. Nandrolone decanoate should still have a significantly weaker impact on serum lipids than c-17 alpha alkylated agents.
Testosterone Suppression: All AAS, when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain, are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. Studies administering 100 mg per week of nandrolone decanoate for six weeks have demonstrated an approximate 57 percent reduction in serum testosterone levels during therapy. At a dosage of 300 mg per week, this reduction reached 70 percent. Without the intervention of testosterone-stimulating substances, testosterone levels should return to normal within two to six months of drug cessation. Note that prolonged hypogonadism can develop secondary to steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.
The above side effects are not inclusive.
Availability:
Nandrolone decanoate continues to decline in prominence as a pharmaceutical product due to its limited use in clinical medicine. Most products found on the black market are of underground origin.
References:
Acta Endocrin. (Kbh.) 35 (1960):405. 434.
Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25. 435.
Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 62 (1986):18-25. 436.
Fertil Steril 1979 May;31(5):552-61. 437.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Bio 53:255-7,1995. 439.
Steroid Biochem 17 (1982):653-60. 440.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Dec;283(6):E1214-22. Epub 2002 Aug 27. 441.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1986 Jul;13(7):513-8.
About the Author:
William Llewellyn is the author of the anabolic steroid reference guide, ANABOLICS 10th Edition.
Description
Deca-Durabolin is an injectable form of the anabolic steroid nandrolone. Nandrolone is very similar to testosterone in structure, although it lacks a carbon atom at the 19[SUP]th[/SUP] position (hence its other name, 19-nortestosterone). Like testosterone, nandrolone exhibits relatively strong anabolic properties. Unlike testosterone, however, its tissue-building activity is accompanied by weak androgenic properties. Much of this has to do with the reduction of nandrolone to a weaker steroid, dihydronandrolone, in the same androgen-responsive target tissues that potentiate the action of testosterone (by converting it to DHT). The mild properties of nandrolone decanoate have made it one of the most popular injectable steroids worldwide, highly favored by athletes for its ability to promote significant strength and lean muscle mass gains without strong androgenic or estrogenic side effects.
Nandrolone decanoate (ND) was first described in 1960, and became a prescription medication in 1962. It was developed by the international pharmaceuticals giant Organon, and sold under the brand name Deca-Durabolin. The name Deca-Durabolin denotes that the product contains a variant of Organon’s previously popular nandrolone injectable Durabolin (nandrolone phenylpropionate), but using an ester of 10 carbon atoms. This greatly extends the release of nandrolone from the site of injection, such that ND lasts up to three weeks. With this advance, Organon expanded the market for nandrolone products rapidly. Probably owing to a combination of its favorable properties and the large market presence of Organon, Deca-Durabolin soon became one of the most widely distributed anabolic steroids in the world.
How SuppliedNandrolone decanoate is widely available in human and veterinary drug markets. Composition and dosage may vary by country and manufacturer, but usually contain 25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml or 200 mg/ml of steroid dissolved in oil.
Effective Dosages
The usual dosage for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes is the range of 200-600 mg per week for men, which is taken in cycles eight to 12 weeks in length. This level is sufficient for most users to notice measurable gains in lean muscle mass and strength. Deca is not known as a very “fast” builder. The muscle-building effect of this drug is quite noticeable, but not dramatic. In general, one can expect to gain muscle weight at about half the rate of that with an equal amount of testosterone.
When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes by women, a dosage of 50 mg per week is most common, which is taken for four to six weeks. Although only slightly androgenic, women are occasionally confronted with virilization symptoms when taking this compound. Studies have demonstrated high tolerability (minor but statistically insignificant incidence of virilizing side effects) with a dose of 100 mg every other week for 12 weeks, while long-term studies (+12 months of use) have demonstrated virilizing side effects on a dose as low as 50 mg every two to three weeks.
Side Effects
Estrogenic: Nandrolone has a low tendency for estrogen conversion, estimated to be only about 20 percent of that seen with testosterone.Consequently, estrogen-related 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. Anti-estrogens such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate are commonly applied to prevent estrogenic side effects. One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex[SUP]®[/SUP] (anastrozole), which more efficiently controls estrogen by preventing its synthesis. It is of note that nandrolone also has some activity as a progestin in the body. The side effects associated with progesterone are similar to those of estrogen, including negative feedback inhibition of testosterone production, an enhanced rate of fat storage, and gynecomastia.
Liver Toxicity: Nandrolone is not c-17 alpha alkylated, and not known to have hepatotoxic effects in healthy subjects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.
Cardiovascular: AAS can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. They may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction. People with high cholesterol or a familial history of heart disease should be especially careful when considering AAS abuse. Studies administering 600 mg of nandrolone decanoate per week for 10 weeks demonstrated a 26 percent reduction in HDL cholesterol levels. 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. Nandrolone decanoate should still have a significantly weaker impact on serum lipids than c-17 alpha alkylated agents.
The above side effects are not inclusive.
Availability:
Nandrolone decanoate continues to decline in prominence as a pharmaceutical product due to its limited use in clinical medicine. Most products found on the black market are of underground origin.
References:
Acta Endocrin. (Kbh.) 35 (1960):405. 434.
Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25. 435.
Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 62 (1986):18-25. 436.
Fertil Steril 1979 May;31(5):552-61. 437.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Bio 53:255-7,1995. 439.
Steroid Biochem 17 (1982):653-60. 440.
Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Dec;283(6):E1214-22. Epub 2002 Aug 27. 441.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1986 Jul;13(7):513-8.
About the Author:
William Llewellyn is the author of the anabolic steroid reference guide, ANABOLICS 10th Edition.
