Perandren

What is Perandren?

Perandren, also known by its chemical name testosterone phenylacetate (TPA), is an androgen and anabolic steroid. It is a testosterone ester, which means it is a modified form of the hormone testosterone designed to have a prolonged effect in the body. It was one of the first testosterone esters to be introduced, but it has largely been replaced by other forms like testosterone propionate, cypionate, and enanthate.

Perandren was typically administered as a microcrystalline aqueous suspension via intramuscular injection. It was used to treat conditions in men with low testosterone, such as hypogonadism and eunuchoidism, and for the palliation of breast cancer in women.

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits:

• Testosterone Replacement: As a testosterone ester, its primary benefit is to replace the body's natural testosterone in cases of deficiency (hypogonadism). This can help alleviate symptoms associated with low T, such as reduced libido, muscle mass, and energy.

• Prolonged Action: A key feature of Perandren was its long duration of action. Compared to other early testosterone forms, its effect was said to be longer-lasting, allowing for less frequent injections.

Side Effects:

The side effects of Perandren are similar to those of other testosterone preparations and anabolic steroids. These can range from less serious to severe:

• Common/Less Serious Side Effects:

  • Injection site reactions: Pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, redness, or irritation at the injection site. These were noted to last for several days.

  • Acne

  • Weight gain

  • Enlarged prostate and increased PSA levels.

  • Changes in mood: Irritability, nervousness, aggression, depression.

  • Fluid retention (edema).

  • Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia).

  • Reduced testicular size and a decrease in sperm count, which is reversible after stopping treatment.

• Serious Side Effects:

  • Cardiovascular issues: Increased blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.

  • Liver damage: Symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), stomach pain, or fever.

  • Polycythemia: An abnormal increase in red blood cells, which can increase the risk of blood clots.

  • Allergic reactions: Hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing.

  • Prolonged or painful erections.

  • Increased risk of prostate cancer, especially in older men.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Infrequent Dosing: A significant advantage of Perandren was its prolonged duration of action, which allowed for less frequent intramuscular injections compared to other testosterone esters. This could be a benefit for patient convenience and compliance.

Cons:

• Injection Site Pain: Aqueous suspension formulations like Perandren were known to cause local injection site reactions, including pain, swelling, and tenderness that could last for several days.

• Largely Replaced: Perandren has been largely replaced by other, more modern testosterone esters and delivery methods. This suggests that the cons, such as injection site issues and the development of better alternatives, outweighed its pros.

Dosage and Frequency

According to the search results, the typical dosage for Perandren (testosterone phenylacetate) was 50 to 200 mg by intramuscular injection once every 2 to 5 weeks.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The search results do not provide a specific half-life for testosterone phenylacetate. However, it does state that the "depot effect of an intramuscular testosterone ester preparation increases in proportion to the length of the ester side chain." Since Perandren was known for its prolonged action, its half-life would be longer than short-acting esters like testosterone propionate.

• Detection Time: The provided information doesn't give a specific detection time for Perandren. However, it indicates that detection times for testosterone esters depend on the length of the ester chain. For instance, testosterone propionate can be detected for 4-5 days, while testosterone undecanoate has a much longer detection time. As a long-acting ester, Perandren would have a detection time of at least several days to a few weeks, depending on the dosage and testing method (e.g., blood, urine, or hair).

Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic Effects: "Sterogenic" is not a standard term in this context, but it likely refers to the steroid-like effects of the drug. As a testosterone ester, Perandren is a powerful androgen and anabolic steroid, meaning it has strong effects on muscle growth, bone density, and the development of male characteristics. It works by binding to and activating androgen receptors.

• Progestogenic Effects: The provided information does not directly mention if testosterone phenylacetate has progestogenic activity. Progestogenic activity is a characteristic of some synthetic anabolic steroids, but it is not a primary effect of testosterone itself.

• Prolactin Effects: The search results indicate that progesterone and estrogen can influence prolactin levels. However, there is no direct mention of Perandren specifically affecting prolactin. High doses of androgens can sometimes lead to hormonal imbalances that indirectly affect other hormone levels, but this is a complex topic and not directly addressed in the search results for this specific compound.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

Testosterone, the base hormone for Perandren, has an anabolic-androgenic ratio of 1:1. This means it is equally potent in its muscle-building (anabolic) and male-characteristic-promoting (androgenic) effects.