Bolfortan

Bolfortan (Testosterone nicotinate) is a discontinued anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) and an androgen medication. It was a form of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, that was modified with a nicotinate ester. This modification was intended to prolong its effects in the body compared to pure testosterone. It was formulated as an aqueous suspension for intramuscular injection. Bolfortan is also known by the brand name Linobol.

Side Effects and Benefits

As a testosterone derivative, Bolfortan would have had benefits and side effects similar to other testosterone-based medications and anabolic steroids.

Benefits:

• Anabolic effects: Increased muscle mass, strength, and protein synthesis.

• Androgenic effects: Development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

• Other benefits: Increased bone density, improved red blood cell production, enhanced libido, and a potential improvement in mood and energy levels.

Side Effects:

• Androgenic side effects: These are due to the compound's androgenic nature and can include:

  • Acne

  • Oily skin

  • Male pattern baldness (in genetically predisposed individuals)

  • Body and facial hair growth

  • Voice deepening

  • Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

  • Clitoral enlargement and menstrual irregularities in women

• Cardiovascular side effects:

  • Increased risk of heart disease

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

  • Changes in cholesterol levels (decreasing HDL "good" cholesterol and increasing LDL "bad" cholesterol)

• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage): This is a concern with many anabolic steroids, particularly those that are orally active, but injectable forms can also pose risks, especially with high dosages or prolonged use.

• Other side effects:

  • Suppression of natural testosterone production, leading to testicular atrophy (shrinking)

  • Gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in males) due to aromatization (conversion to estrogen)

  • Water retention and bloating

  • Mood swings, irritability, and aggression ("roid rage")

  • Increased risk of blood clots

Pros and Cons

Since Bolfortan is no longer marketed, its pros and cons are primarily from a historical and pharmacological perspective.

Pros:

• As a testosterone derivative, it would have been effective for its intended purpose of treating conditions related to low testosterone.

• The esterification with nicotinate provided a longer duration of action compared to un-esterified testosterone, reducing the frequency of injections needed.

Cons:

• Discontinued: It is not available for use, making it an obsolete medication.

• Side effects: Like all anabolic steroids, it carried a risk of serious side effects, as outlined above.

• Abuse potential: As a performance-enhancing drug, it could be abused, leading to adverse health consequences.

Dosage and Frequency

Specific dosage and frequency information for Bolfortan is difficult to find, as the drug is no longer in production and was not as widely used as other testosterone esters. However, it was formulated as a 50 mg/mL aqueous suspension. Its duration of action was reported to be somewhere between that of testosterone propionate and testosterone enanthate, suggesting it would have been administered less frequently than propionate but more frequently than enanthate. A common dosage for similar testosterone esters used in medicine is 50-250 mg every 1-4 weeks, depending on the specific ester. In the context of performance enhancement, dosages would likely have been higher and more frequent.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-life: The half-life of Bolfortan (Testosterone nicotinate) is reported to be somewhere between testosterone propionate and testosterone enanthate. Testosterone propionate has a short half-life of a few days, while testosterone enanthate has a half-life of about 4-5 days. Therefore, a reasonable estimate for Bolfortan's half-life would be in the range of a few to several days.

• Detection time: The detection time for anabolic steroids varies greatly depending on the specific drug, dosage, and testing method (urine, blood, or hair). Testosterone and its derivatives can typically be detected in urine for 2-4 weeks after the last dose, but can be much longer for certain esters or with chronic use. For hair testing, the detection window can be several months to a year or more.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic: This term is not a standard pharmacological classification. Bolfortan is a steroid, specifically an anabolic-androgenic steroid.

• Progestogenic: Bolfortan is a derivative of testosterone, which is not progestogenic. It does not bind to the progesterone receptor and does not have progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: Anabolic-androgenic steroids can sometimes indirectly affect prolactin levels. For example, some steroids, especially those with progestogenic activity (which Bolfortan does not have), can increase prolactin levels. High doses of certain aromatizing steroids (those that convert to estrogen) can also lead to increased prolactin. While testosterone itself can aromatize, its effect on prolactin is generally not as significant as that of certain other compounds.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio (AAR) is a metric used to compare the anabolic (muscle-building) effects of a steroid to its androgenic (masculinizing) effects. The ratio is based on a standard of testosterone, which has an AAR of 1:1. This means its anabolic and androgenic effects are considered equal. Since Bolfortan is simply an ester of testosterone, its fundamental anabolic-androgenic ratio is the same as testosterone itself, which is 1:1.