Nandrolone
Description
Nandrolone belongs to a group of medicines known as anabolic steroids (a man-made version of male sex hormone, testosterone). The medicine is used for the management of anaemia and postmenopausal osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become fragile after menopause, the end of a menstrual cycle in women). Nandrolone works by promoting the growth of tissues and improving the production of proteins in the body.
Nandrolone may cause a few common side effects such as acne, oedema (swelling of legs, ankle, and feet), nausea, and breast enlargement. Talk to your doctor if any of these side effects bother you or do not subside with time. Nandrolone can be taken with or without food. The dosage of this medicine will be determined by the doctor based on your clinical condition.
Nandrolone is not recommended to individuals who have kidney or liver problems, heart failure, prostate cancer, or porphyria (disorders that affect your body’s ability to make heme, a red pigment in your blood to which oxygen binds). Before initiating your treatment with this medicine, make sure to inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
Nandrolone is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can severely harm the baby. Nandrolone is not advised for breastfeeding mothers as it may affect the infant. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine. If you are a woman and develop symptoms like hoarseness, increased hair growth, acne, or increased sex drive after taking Nandrolone, make sure to consult your doctor.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nandrolone
- Acne
- Trouble sleeping
- Chills
- Impaired liver function
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Increased blood calcium levels
- Hirsutism
- Deepening of the voice
Uses of Nandrolone
What is it prescribed for?
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Anaemia with renal insufficiency
- Debilitating illness
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time taken by Nandrolone to produce effects can vary. If no satisfactory response is observed, consult your doctor. Do not stop the treatment or change the dosage without consulting with your doctor.
- Duration of effectThe effects of Nandrolone last up to 30 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?Nandrolone is known to have habit forming tendency and abuse potential.
- Usage in pregnancy?If you are pregnant or intending to get pregnant, you should avoid using Nandrolone since it has been found to have harmful effects on the foetus.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Use of Nandrolone is not recommended if you are breastfeeding an infant. However, if it becomes absolutely necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Nandrolone is not recommended if you have a known history of allergy to Nandrolone or any other ingredient present with it. Some dosage forms may contain Arachis oil (groundnut oil) and hence is not recommended if you are allergic to peanuts or soya as it can lead to allergic symptoms like rashes, redness, swelling, hives (itchy and painful eruptions that sting), etc. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop these symptoms after taking this medicine.
Cancer of the breast/prostate
Use of Nandrolone is not recommended for male who have a cancer of the breast or the prostate, as this medicine can increase the severity of their condition.
Nephrosis
Nephrosis is a degenerative condition caused by any underlying factors that impair kidney function. Use of Nandrolone is not recommended for people who have nephrosis of the kidneys, as it can worsen their condition.
Breast cancer with hypercalcaemia
Use of Nandrolone is not recommended in females suffering from breast cancer coupled with high levels of calcium in the body.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or intending to get pregnant, you should avoid using Nandrolone since it has been found to have harmful effects on the foetus.
Breast-feeding
Use of Nandrolone is not recommended if you are breastfeeding an infant. However, if it becomes absolutely necessary to use this medicine, then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Peanut allergy
Nandrolone may contain Arachis oil which is obtained from peanuts and hence should not be used if you are allergic to peanuts or soya.
Virilisation
Nandrolone can cause Virilisation (development of male sexual characteristics in a female) which could make a woman's voice hoarse, lead to the development of excess facial and body hair, cause irregular menstruation, etc. Hence this medicine should be used with caution.
Paediatric use
Nandrolone should not be administered to children and adolescents who are yet to attain puberty. Use of this medicine could interfere with the growth and sexual development process in children.
Misuse by sportsperson
Nandrolone should not be used by sportspersons or bodybuilders to enhance performance and muscle growth as the risk of severe side effects are very high. The World anti-doping agency and other sports bodies have banned its use by active sportspersons.
Other disease
Nandrolone works by improving the tissue building and protein formation capacity of the body. Hence it is likely to impact other conditions you might have, especially of the heart, blood vessels, cancers and metabolic disorders.
Other medicine
Nandrolone is known to interact with many other medications that you might possibly be using. Report the use of all medicines including supplements and herbs to your doctor to ensure safety and efficacy.
Increased libido
Nandrolone can cause an increase in sexual urges in men. Report instances of frequent and painful erections to the doctor.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.
Overdose
Contact your doctor if an overdose with Nandrolone is suspected. The likelihood of an overdose and associated symptoms is very low with injectable dosage form.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Dexamethasone
Warfarin
Leflunomide
Insulin
Disease interactions
Carcinoma in males
Use of Nandrolone is not recommended in males suffering from cancer of the breast or prostate. This medicine may accelerate tumour growth worsening cancer. Inform your doctor before taking this medicine, he/she may suggest any safe alternative treatment option.
Fluid Retention and oedema
The use of Nandrolone is known to cause fluid retention in the body and hence should be administered cautiously in people having fluid retention or oedema.
Hyperlipoproteinemia
The use of Nandrolone can interfere with the fat and cholesterol levels in your body and may significantly increase the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels. Hence it should be used with extreme caution if you have high fat and lipid levels or any medical condition affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Liver Disease
Nandrolone should be used with extreme caution in people having impaired liver function or a liver problem. Suitable dose adjustments and clinical safety monitoring are recommended in such cases.
Bleeding disorders
Nandrolone can interfere with normal blood clotting and hence should be administered cautiously in people with pre-existing bleeding disorders.
Diabetes
Use of Nandrolone can lower the blood glucose levels and hence should be used with caution in diabetic people. Suitable dose adjustments and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels are recommended in these people.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Thyroid function test
Report the use of Nandrolone if you are about to undertake a thyroid function test as this medicine might interfere with the test results.
Take Nandrolone as instructed by the doctor. It is advised to take this medicine in the presence of a trained healthcare professional. The injection is administered in a proper healthcare setting by specialized healthcare professionals. Do not self administer. Do not take more or less than prescribed or for a prolonged period of time, do not stop the course of treatment without consulting your doctor. Inform your doctor if you experience any side effects such as skin rashes, redness, and swelling.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Nandrolone mimics the action of the sex hormone (chemical messenger in the body) testosterone, a hormone that promotes the growth of the tissues and protein formation in the body. The medicine strengthens the bones and also promotes the production of red blood cells.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Androgens and anabolic steroids
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Nandrolone. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Mayoclinic.org. 2021. Anabolic Steroid (Oral Route, Parenteral Route) Proper Use - Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - nandrolone decanoate- Nandrolone Decanoate injection. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 11 Oct 2021
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