Metandienone

Metandienone (INN) (trade names Averbol, Dianabol, Danabol, Metanabol, Naposim, Vetanabol), or methandienone (BAN), also known commonly as methandrostenolone, and known also as 17α-methyl-δ¹-testosterone or 17α-methyl-1-dehydrotestosterone, is an orally active anabolic steroid originally developed in Germany and released in the United States in the early 1960s by Ciba Specialty Chemicals. Metandienone is a controlled substance in the United States and Western Europe and remains popular among bodybuilders. An injectable form is sold online from United States-based companies. Metandienone is readily available without a prescription in countries such as Mexico (under the trade name Reforvit-b), and is also being manufactured in Asia and many East European countries.

Biophysiology

Metandienone binds to and activates the androgen receptor in order to exert its effects. These include dramatic increases in protein synthesis, glycogenolysis, and muscle strength over a short space of time. Side effects such as gynecomastia, high blood pressure, acne and male pattern baldness may begin to occur. The drug causes severe masculinizing effects in women even at low doses. In addition, it is metabolized into an isomer of methylestradiol by aromatase. This means that without the administration of aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole or aminoglutethimide, estrogenic effects will appear over time in men. Many users will combat the estrogenic side effects with Arimidex, Nolvadex or Clomid. In addition, as with other 17α-alkylated steroids, the use of metandienone over extended periods of time can result in liver damage without appropriate care.