Anadrol info
Anadrol 50
is the U.S. brand name for oxymetholone, a very potent oral
androgen. This compound was first made available in 1960,
by the international drug firm Syntex. Since oxymetholone
is quite reliable in its ability to increase red blood cell
production (and effect admittedly characteristic of nearly
all anabolic/androgenic steroids), it showed particular
promise in treating cases of severe anemia. For this purpose
it turned out to be well suited, and was popular for quite
some time. But recent years have brought fourth a number
of new treatments, most notably the non-steroidal hormone
Epogen (erythropoietin). This item is shown to have a much
more direct effect on the red blood cell count, without
the side effects of a strong androgen. Financial disinterest
finally prompted Syntex to halt production of the U.S. Anadrol
50 in 1993, which was around the same time they decided
to drop this item in a number of foreign countries. Plenastril
from Switzerland and Austria was dropped; following soon
was Oxitosona from Spain. Many Athletes feared Anadrol 50
C~ might be on the way out for good. But new HIV/AIDS studies
have shown a new light on oxymetholone. These studies are
finding (big surprise) exceptional anti-wasting properties
to the compound and believe it can be used safely in many
such cases. Interest has been peaked, and as of 1998 Anadrol
50 is again being sold in the United States. This
time we see the same Anadrol 50 brand name, but the
manufacturer is the drug firm Unimed. Syntex continues to
market & license this drug in a number of countries
however (under a few different brand names).
Anadrol 50 ©
is considered by many to be the most powerful steroid available,
with results of this compound being extremely dramatic.
A steroid novice experimenting with oxymetholone is likely
to gain 20 to 30 pounds of massive bulk, and it can often
be accomplished in less than 6 weeks, with only one or two
tablets per day. This steroid produces a lot of trouble
with water retention, so let there be little doubt that
much of this gain is simply bloat. But for the user this
is often little consequence, feeling bigger and stronger
on Anadrol 50 than any steroid they are likely to
cross. Although the smooth look that results from water
retention is often not attractive, it can aid quite a bit
to the level of size and strength gained. The muscle is
fuller, will contract better and is provided a level of
protection in the form of "lubrication" to the
joints as some of this extra water is held into and around
connective tissues. This will allow for more elasticity,
and will hopefully decrease the chance for injury when lifting
heavy. It should be noted however, that on the other hand
the very rapid gain in mass might place too much stress
on your connective tissues for this to compensate. The tearing
of pectoral and biceps tissue is commonly associated with
heavy lifting while massing up on heavy androgens. There
is such a thing as gaining too fast. Pronounced estrogen
trouble also puts the user at risk for developing gynecomastia.
Individuals sensitive to the effects of estrogen, or looking
to retain a more quality look, will therefore often add
Nolvadex to each cycle.
It is important
to note however, that this drug does not directly convert
to estrogen in the body. Oxymetholone is a derivative of
dihydrotestosterone, which gives it a structure that cannot
be aromatized. As such, many have speculated as to what
makes this hormone so troublesome in terms of estrogenic
side effects. Some have suggested that it has progestational
activity, similar to nandrolone, and is not actually estrogenic
at all. Since the obvious side effects of both estrogens
and progestins are very similar, this explanation might
be a plausible one. However we do find medical studies looking
at this possibility. One such tested the progestational
activity of various steroids including nandrolone, norethandrolone,
methandrostenolone, testosterone and oxymetholone 3. It
reported no significant progestational effect inherent in
oxymetholone or methandrostenolone, slight activity with
testosterone and strong progestational effect inherent in
nandrolone and norethandrolone. With such findings it starts
to seem much more likely that oxymetholone can intrinsically
activate the estrogen receptor itself, similar to but more
profoundly than the estrogenic androgen methAndriol. In
speaking with chemist Patrick Arnold about my thoughts on
this, I was afforded very believable support for my suspected
explanation. According to Pat:
"I share
your thoughts on this. Anadrol has an acidic hydrogen in
the A-ring at a vicinity that is approximate to where the
acidic phenolic hydrogen of estradiol is. I suspect it is
a potent estrogen agonist'
Clearly if this
is the case we can only combat the estrogenic side effects
of oxymetholone with estrogen receptor antagonists such
as Nolvadex or Clomid, and not with an aromatase
inhibitor. The strong anti-aromatase compounds such as Cytadren
and Arimidex would similarly prove to be totally useless
with this steroid, as aromatase is uninvolved.
Anadrol 50
is also a very potent androgen. This trait tends to produce
many pronounced, unwanted androgenic side effects. Oily
skin, acne and body/facial hair growth can be seen very
quickly with this drug. Many individuals respond with severe
acne, often requiring medication to keep it under control.
Some of these individuals find that Accutaine works well,
which is a strong prescription drug that acts on the sebaceous
glands to reduce the release of oils. Those with a predisposition
for male pattern baldness may want to stay away from Anadrol
50 completely, as this is certainly a possible side
effect during therapy. And while some very adventurous female
athletes do experiment with this compound, it is much too
androgenic to recommend. Irreversible virilization symptoms
can be the result and may occur very quickly, possibly before
you have a chance to take action.
It is interesting
to note that Anadrol 50 does exhibit some tendency
to convert to dihydrotestosterone, although this does not
occur via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme (responsible for
altering testosterone to form DHT) as it is already a dihydrotestosterone
based steroid. Aside from the added c-17 alpha alkylation
(discussed below), oxymetholone differs from DHT only by
the addition of a 2-hydroxymethylene group. This grouping
can be removed metabolically however, reducing oxymetholone
to the potent androgen l7alpha-methyl dihydrotestosterone
(mesterolone; methyldihydrotestosterone)~. There is little
doubt that this biotransformation contributes at least at
some level to the androgenic nature of this steroid, especially
when we note that in its initial state Anadrol 50
has a notably low binding affinity for the androgen receptor.
So although we have the option of using the reductase inhibitor
finasteride (see: Proscar) to reduce the androgenic
nature of testosterone, it offers us no benefit with Anadrol
50 as this enzyme is not involved.
The principle
drawback to Anadrol 50 is that it is a 17alpha alkylated
compound. Although this design gives it the ability to withstand
oral administration, it can be very stressful to the liver.
Anadrol 50 is particularly dubious because we require
such a high milligram amount per dosage. The difference
is great when comparing it to other oral steroids like Dianabol
or Winstrol, which have the same chemical alteration.
Since they have a slightly higher affinity for the androgen
receptor, they are effective in much smaller doses (seen
in the 5mg and 2mg tablet strengths). Anadrol 50 C~ has
a lower affinity, which may be why we have a 50mg tablet
dosage. For comparison, taking three tablets of Anadrol
50 (150mg) is roughly the equivalent of 30 Dianabol
tablets or 75 Winstrol tablets(!). When looking at
the medical requirements, the recommended dosage for all
ages has been 1 - 5 mg/kg of body weight. This would give
a 2201b person a dosage as high as 10 Anadrol 50 tablets
(500mg) per day. There should be little wonder why when
liver cancer has been linked to steroid use, Anadrol 50
~ is generally the culprit. Athletes actually never need
such a high dosage and will take in the range of only 1-3
tablets per day. Many happily find that one tablet is all
they need for exceptional results, and avoid higher amounts.
Cautious users will also limit the intake of this compound
to no longer than 4-6 weeks and have their liver enzymes
checked regularly with a doctor. Kidney functions may also
need to be looked after during longer use, as water retention/high
blood pressure can take a toll on the body. Before starting
a cycle, one should know to give Anadrol 50 the respect
it is due. It is a very powerful drug, but not always a
friendly one.
When discontinuing
Anadrol 50 , the crash can be equally powerful. To
begin with, the level of water retention will quickly diminish,
dropping the user's body weight dramatically. This should
be expected, and not of much concern. What is of great concern
is restoring endogenous testosterone production. Anadrol
50 will quickly and effectively lower natural levels
during a cycle, so HCG and/or Clomid/Nolvadex
are a must when discontinuing a cycle.
The common practice
of slowly tapering off your pill dosage is wholly ineffective
at raising testosterone levels. Without ancillary drugs,
a run away cortisol level will likely strip much of the
muscle that was gained during the cycle. If HCG and/or Clomid/Nolvadex
are used properly, the person should be able to maintain
a considerable amount of new muscle mass. Before going off,
some alternately choose to first switch over to a milder
injectable like Deca Durabolin. This is in an effort
to harden up the new mass, and can prove to be an effective
practice. Although a drop of weight due to water loss is
likely when making the switch, the end result should be
the retention of more (quality) muscle mass with a less
pronounced crash. Remember ancillaries though, as testosterone
production will not be rebounding during Deca therapy. |
