Drug Groups

illicit; approved

Description

C18 steroid with androgenic and anabolic properties. It is generally prepared from alkyl ethers of estradiol to resemble testosterone but less one carbon at the 19 position. It is a schedule III drug in the U.S.

Indication

For the treatment of refractory deficient red cell production anemias, breast carcinoma, hereditary angioedema, antithrombin III deficiency, fibrinogen excess, growth failure and Turner's syndrome. It is also indicated in the prophylaxis of hereditary angioedema.

Pharmacology

Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid occurring naturally in the human body, albeit in small quantities. Nandrolone increases production and urinary excretion of erythropoietin. It may also have a direct action on bone marrow. Nandrolone binds to the androgen receptor to a greater degree than testosterone, but due to its inability to act on the muscle in ways unmediated by the receptor, has less overall effect on muscle growth.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Nandrolone is unusual in that unlike most anabolic steroids, it is not broken down into the more reactive DHT by the enzyme 5α-reductase, but rather into a less effective product known as Dihydronandrolone.

Absorption

The absorption after oral dosing is rapid for testosterone and probably for other anabolic steroids, but there is extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism for all anabolic steroids except those that are substituted at the 17-alpha position. The rate of absorption from subcutaneous or intramuscular depots depends on the product and its formulation. Absorption is slow for the lipid-soluble esters such as the cypionate or enanthate, and for oily suspensions.

Half Life

The elimination half-life from plasma is very short.

Protein Binding

58%

References

External Links