Orabolin

Orabolin, also known by its generic name ethylestrenol, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) that was formerly used for medical purposes. It is also sold under other brand names such as Maxibolin. Ethylestrenol is a synthetic steroid derived from nandrolone, and it is a prodrug of norethandrolone, meaning it is converted into norethandrolone in the body.

Side Effects and Benefits

Like other anabolic steroids, Orabolin has potential benefits but also carries significant risks and side effects, especially with non-medical use.

Benefits (historical medical uses):

• Promoting weight gain: It was used to help individuals gain weight and muscle mass, particularly in those with a catabolic state due to chronic infections, severe trauma, or surgery.

• Treating anemia: It stimulated the production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis) and was used to treat certain types of anemia, such as aplastic anemia and anemia from chronic kidney disease.

• Treating osteoporosis: It was used as an adjunct treatment to improve bone strength and reduce bone pain associated with osteoporosis.

• Other uses: It was also used to improve strength and well-being in arthritis patients and to treat short stature in youth.

Side Effects: The side effects of Orabolin are similar to those of other anabolic-androgenic steroids. They can range from mild to severe and may be irreversible.

• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage): As a 17α-alkylated oral steroid, it poses a significant risk of liver damage, including liver tumors and blood-filled cysts (peliosis hepatis). Symptoms can include upper stomach pain, nausea, dark urine, and jaundice.

• Cardiovascular issues: AAS use can lead to high blood pressure, changes in cholesterol levels (decreasing HDL or "good" cholesterol and increasing LDL or "bad" cholesterol), and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Hormonal imbalances:

  • In men: It can lead to testicular atrophy (shrinkage), decreased sperm production, and infertility. It can also cause gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue).

  • In women: It can cause virilization, which is the development of masculine features, including a deepened voice, increased facial and body hair, male-pattern baldness, and an enlarged clitoris. It can also cause changes in menstrual cycles.

• Psychological effects: These can include mood swings, aggression ("roid rage"), irritability, and in some cases, can be linked to psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.

• Other effects: Acne, oily skin, hair loss, and fluid retention are also common side effects.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Anabolic effects: Strong anabolic effects relative to its androgenic effects, leading to muscle growth and increased protein synthesis.

• Oral administration: As an oral steroid, it is more convenient to take than injectable steroids.

• Historical medical use: It has demonstrated effectiveness in treating specific medical conditions, though it is no longer widely used for these purposes.

Cons:

• Hepatotoxicity: The most significant con is the high risk of liver damage due to its oral nature.

• Androgenic effects: Despite a favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, it still carries the risk of virilizing side effects, especially at high doses.

• Controlled substance: It is a controlled substance in many countries, making non-medical use illegal and illicit.

• Weak muscle-builder: It is considered a very weak muscle-building steroid compared to other AAS, which is why it is not commonly used for this purpose.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no standard or medically recommended dosage for Orabolin for performance-enhancing purposes. Medical dosages were highly specific to the patient's condition and were determined by a physician. The misuse of anabolic steroids often involves dosages that are 10-100 times higher than those prescribed for medical use, which significantly increases the risk of severe side effects.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-life: The half-life of ethylestrenol is not well-documented, but as a prodrug of norethandrolone, its effects are related to the active compound. The half-life of oral steroids is generally shorter than that of injectable steroids, often lasting a matter of hours.

• Detection time: The detection time for anabolic steroids is highly variable and depends on many factors, including the specific steroid, dosage, frequency of use, individual metabolism, and the type of drug test (urine, blood, hair). For oral steroids, the detection window can be several weeks to a few months. For Orabolin specifically, it is an oral steroid, which generally has a smaller detection window than long-acting injectable steroids, but a definitive number is not readily available in public-facing resources. It's important to note that hair and nail tests can detect steroid use for up to 12 months.

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic Effects: All anabolic-androgenic steroids, including Orabolin, are synthetic versions of natural hormones and are built on a steroid nucleus. They exert their effects by interacting with the androgen receptor.

• Progestogenic Effects: Orabolin is a derivative of nandrolone and, like other nandrolone-based steroids, it has strong progestogenic activity. This means it can bind to the progesterone receptor. Progestogenic effects can contribute to side effects such as gynecomastia and can also influence a person's natural hormone levels.

• Prolactin Effects: Anabolic steroids with progestogenic activity, like Orabolin, can sometimes lead to an increase in prolactin levels. High prolactin levels can cause side effects such as lactation (galactorrhea) in both men and women and can lead to sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction in men.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a measure used to compare the muscle-building (anabolic) effects of a steroid to its masculinizing (androgenic) effects. This ratio is typically compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100 or 1:1.

While a precise, universally agreed-upon numerical value for Orabolin's anabolic-androgenic ratio is difficult to find, it is consistently described as having a high ratio of anabolic to androgenic activity, similar to other nandrolone derivatives. For example, nandrolone itself is often cited with an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of approximately 10:1. Given that Orabolin is a nandrolone derivative with strong anabolic effects relative to its androgenic effects, it would likely have a favorable ratio, but it's crucial to understand that even with a high ratio, androgenic effects are still present, especially with higher dosages.