Superdrol (Methasterone)

What is Superdrol (Methasterone)?

Superdrol, also known by its chemical name methasterone or methyldrostanolone, is a synthetic and orally active anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). It was never approved for medical use and was instead sold as a "designer steroid" or dietary supplement. The compound's introduction to the market in the mid-2000s exploited a loophole in the law, as it was not explicitly listed as a controlled substance at the time.

Methasterone is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with two modifications: a methyl group at the 2-carbon position and another at the 17-carbon position. The 17α-alkylation makes it orally bioavailable, but this also contributes to its high toxicity, particularly to the liver. It's often compared to other AAS like drostanolone (Masteron) due to its chemical structure.

Side Effects and Benefits

Benefits

Superdrol is a potent anabolic agent, and its primary benefits for non-medical use revolve around its ability to promote rapid and significant muscle growth and strength gains. It's known for producing "dry" gains, meaning it doesn't cause the water retention or bloating often associated with other steroids. This is because it does not convert to estrogen in the body.

Side Effects

The use of Superdrol is associated with a wide range of severe side effects, many of which can be life-threatening. The most significant and well-documented side effect is hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity). Several medical cases have been reported of liver damage, cholestasis (a condition where bile flow from the liver is blocked), and acute renal (kidney) failure in individuals using Superdrol.

Other potential side effects include:

• Cardiovascular: High blood pressure, negative changes in cholesterol levels.

• Endocrine: Suppression of natural testosterone production, which can lead to hypogonadism (decreased function of the testes). This requires post-cycle therapy (PCT) to help restore hormonal balance.

• Dermatological: Acne, hair thinning.

• Other: Fatigue, infertility.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• High Anabolic Potency: Leads to rapid and significant gains in muscle mass and strength.

• No Estrogenic Conversion: Unlike many other steroids, it does not aromatize (convert to estrogen), which eliminates the risk of side effects like gynecomastia (enlarged male breast tissue) and water retention.

Cons

• High Liver Toxicity: This is its most significant drawback. The 17α-alkylation that makes it orally effective also makes it highly toxic to the liver.

• Significant Hormonal Suppression: It severely suppresses the body's natural testosterone production.

• Cardiovascular Risk: Can negatively impact cholesterol levels and increase blood pressure.

• Illegal and Unregulated: It is a controlled substance in many countries and its availability is often through the black market, meaning quality, dosage, and purity are not guaranteed and can be highly variable.

Dosage and Frequency

There is no medically established dosage for Superdrol as it was never a pharmaceutical drug. However, in the context of its use as a bodybuilding supplement, typical cycle durations are short, usually no more than 4-6 weeks, due to the extreme liver toxicity. Daily dosages typically range from 10 to 30 mg, with 10-15 mg being a common starting point for new users.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The elimination half-life of methasterone is reported to be between 8 and 12 hours. This means it is a fast-acting compound that requires frequent dosing to maintain stable blood levels.

• Detection Time: The detection time in urine is a key concern for athletes. While the parent compound has a relatively short half-life, its metabolites can be detected for much longer. Some studies have shown that metabolites of methasterone can be detected in urine for up to 10 days, and possibly longer, making it easily detectable in drug tests.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Estrogenic: Methasterone does not aromatize, meaning it does not convert to estrogen. As a result, it is not considered to have estrogenic effects. This is a primary reason it's favored for producing "dry" gains.

• Progestronic: Methasterone is not a progestin and does not have significant progestogenic activity.

• Prolactin: Methasterone does not have a direct effect on prolactin levels. However, due to the suppression of natural testosterone, it can indirectly lead to a hormonal imbalance that might affect other systems.

Anabolic Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a way to compare a steroid's muscle-building properties (anabolic) to its masculinizing properties (androgenic). This ratio is typically compared to testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100. Methasterone is known to have a very favorable anabolic to androgenic ratio. While exact numbers can vary depending on the source and testing method, it is often cited as having an anabolic rating of 400 and an androgenic rating of 20. This would give it a ratio of approximately 20:1 (anabolic:androgenic), making it a highly effective muscle-building agent with relatively low androgenic side effects. However, it's important to note that this favorable ratio does not negate the significant health risks associated with its use.