Methasterone (Superdrol)

Overview

Methasterone, sold under the name Superdrol, has an unusual history. It was marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement in the 2000s — legally available, sold in shops, without approval or safety testing, because it fell through a gap in the regulation of prohormones at the time.

That gap was closed in 2012, after case reports of severe liver damage accumulated. The substance has been classified as an anabolic steroid ever since. Its history nonetheless still shapes its perception: the fact that it was once freely available suggests a harmlessness that was never justified.

Mechanism of Action

Methasterone is drostanolone with an added methyl group at position 17 — hence the alternative name methyldrostanolone. That single modification makes the injectable drostanolone orally available and, at the same time, considerably more liver-toxic.

The substance does not aromatize and binds strongly to the androgen receptor. Its anabolic effect is pronounced, which explains its popularity despite the risk profile.

The liver toxicity is where methasterone differs from other 17-alpha-alkylated compounds, and not merely in degree. The documented case reports describe cholestatic jaundice — a build-up of bile in the liver — with jaundice, severe itching and, in some cases, liver failure. Crucially, these cases did not all involve extreme doses; a considerable proportion occurred within the range commonly used.

Typical Context

Methasterone is used in short mass phases, over three to four weeks, at ten to twenty milligrams a day and generally alongside a testosterone base. The very short duration is not caution but a direct consequence of the liver risk.

Two side effects shape practical use more than the numbers suggest. Lethargy is common and often noticeable enough to work against the training the substance is meant to support. Lower back pumps during exercise can become severe enough to interrupt sets. Both are characteristic and dose-dependent.

The substance's supplement past deserves a mention because it still influences how people handle it. Anyone assuming that a compound once sold openly in shops must be comparatively harmless has the causality backwards: it was withdrawn precisely because it was not.

Side Effects & Risks

• Severe liver toxicity with documented cases of cholestatic jaundice and liver failure
• Severe drop in HDL, rise in LDL
• Markedly elevated blood pressure
• Pronounced lethargy
• Severe lower back pumps during training
• Estradiol too low without a testosterone base
• Suppression of natural testosterone production
• Acne, accelerated hair loss with a genetic predisposition

Blood Work & Monitoring

• Liver values (ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin) — baseline, during and after; non-negotiable with this substance
• Lipid profile (LDL, HDL, triglycerides) — baseline and during use
• Blood pressure — measured at home, daily
• Total/free testosterone — to assess suppression
• Estradiol (sensitive) — watch for levels that are too low
• Hematocrit & hemoglobin

Harm-Reduction Notes

• Liver values are the deciding factor; measure a baseline and check during use, not only afterwards
• Do not exceed 3–4 weeks under any circumstances
• Avoid alcohol entirely; never combine with other oral compounds
• Jaundice, dark urine, itching or persistent upper abdominal pain: stop immediately and seek medical attention
• Do not push through lethargy — it indicates the dose is too high
• Its former availability as a supplement is not an indication of safety
• A post-cycle plan is necessary despite the short duration