Superdrol (Methyldrostanolone)
Oral Anabolic Steroid | Extreme Potency & Liver Stress
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Superdrol (methyldrostanolone, also known as methasterone) is a synthetic oral anabolic-androgenic steroid derived from drostanolone (Masteron) with the addition of a 17-alpha-methyl group for oral bioavailability. It is widely regarded as one of the most potent oral anabolic steroids ever produced, delivering dramatic strength and lean mass gains in very short timeframes. Superdrol was originally marketed in the United States as a "prohormone" dietary supplement beginning in 2005 by Designer Supplements, exploiting a regulatory loophole since it was not explicitly listed as a controlled substance at the time. It was pulled from the market and subsequently classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014. Despite its remarkable anabolic potency, Superdrol carries an extreme hepatotoxicity profile that distinguishes it from virtually all other commonly used oral steroids. Cases of severe cholestatic jaundice, liver failure, and hospitalizations have been reported even at moderate doses and short cycle lengths. It does not aromatize to estrogen, which means it does not cause water retention or gynecomastia, but this also means it provides no estrogenic support for joints, mood, or libido when used without a testosterone base. Superdrol is strictly an advanced-only compound and is not suitable for beginners under any circumstances.
Superdrol exerts its effects through high-affinity binding to the intracellular androgen receptor (AR), stimulating androgen-responsive gene transcription that promotes nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, and glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle. As a DHT derivative, it cannot be aromatized by the CYP19 aromatase enzyme, so it produces no estrogenic metabolites. This accounts for the characteristic dry, hard appearance it produces without subcutaneous water retention. The 2-alpha-methyl group enhances its anabolic potency relative to its parent compound drostanolone, giving it an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio that significantly favors muscle-building effects over androgenic side effects in target tissues. The 17-alpha-methyl group allows it to survive first-pass hepatic metabolism, but this same modification is responsible for its severe hepatotoxicity. Superdrol is metabolized primarily by the liver, placing enormous stress on hepatic conjugation and bile transport pathways. It has been shown to cause dose-dependent cholestasis by disrupting bile salt export pump (BSEP) function, leading to intrahepatic bile acid accumulation. This mechanism underlies the cholestatic jaundice and hepatocellular injury that are disproportionately common with this compound compared to other 17-alpha-alkylated steroids.
Molecular Data
Research Indications
Superdrol produces substantial lean mass gains in compressed timeframes, typically 8-12 pounds of lean tissue in a 3-4 week cycle. These gains are notably dry and devoid of water retention due to the absence of estrogenic activity.
Widely reported to produce some of the most dramatic strength increases of any oral steroid. Users commonly report significant personal records within the first 2-3 weeks of use.
As a non-aromatizing DHT derivative, Superdrol promotes a dense, dry, and grainy muscular appearance without subcutaneous water retention. Often used in the final weeks before a bodybuilding competition.
Dosing Protocols
Superdrol is administered exclusively by the oral route as a 17-alpha-alkylated steroid. It was historically available in capsule or tablet form, typically dosed at 10 mg per unit. Due to its extreme hepatotoxicity, cycle lengths must be kept as short as possible and liver support supplementation is mandatory rather than optional. There is no injectable formulation in common use.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance - Conservative / First-Time Users | 10 mg/day | Once daily or split into 2 doses | Oral |
| Performance - Standard | 20 mg/day | Split into 2 doses (morning and evening) | Oral |
Interactions
What to Expect
Side Effects & Safety
Common Side Effects
- Severe hepatotoxicity (elevated ALT, AST, GGT, and bilirubin -- often dramatically)
- Pronounced lethargy and fatigue, particularly from week 2 onward
- Significant appetite suppression and nausea
- Elevated blood pressure
- Severe lower back pumps and shin splints during physical activity
- HDL cholesterol suppression and LDL elevation (adverse lipid shift)
- Complete suppression of endogenous testosterone production
- Decreased libido without a testosterone base
- Acne and oily skin
Stop Signs - Discontinue if:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) -- seek medical attention immediately
- Dark brown or tea-colored urine
- Clay-colored or pale stools
- Severe or persistent right upper quadrant abdominal pain
- Extreme fatigue disproportionate to training or sleep patterns
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, or complete loss of appetite
- Unexplained itching (pruritus), which may indicate cholestasis
- Chest pain, severe headache, or visual disturbances suggesting hypertensive crisis
Contraindications
- Any pre-existing liver condition or history of liver disease
- Elevated baseline liver enzymes from any cause
- Concurrent use of other hepatotoxic medications or supplements
- Active or recent alcohol use disorder
- History of cholestatic jaundice from any prior anabolic steroid use
- Cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or significant dyslipidemia
- Beginners or intermediates without extensive experience with other anabolic compounds
- Women (virilization risk is extreme at any effective dose)
- Anyone unwilling to obtain pre-cycle and mid-cycle bloodwork
Quality Checklist
Good Signs
- Product from a reputable underground lab with consistent third-party testing history
- Third-party certificate of analysis confirming identity and potency as methasterone
- Properly dosed at 10 mg per tablet or capsule with consistent unit weight
- Packaging includes lot number, manufacturing date, and expiration date
- Tablets or capsules are uniform in size, color, and appearance
Warning Signs
- Product labeled at doses above 10 mg per unit (increases risk of accidental overdosing)
- No third-party testing or certificate of analysis available
- Source with limited track record or unverifiable reputation
- Inconsistent tablet or capsule sizing suggesting poor manufacturing quality control
- Labeled as a 'prohormone' or 'dietary supplement' (no longer legally sold as such)
Bad Signs
- No labeling, lot number, or any identifying information
- Lab testing reveals substituted compound or significant underdosing/overdosing
- Presence of contaminants, heavy metals, or undisclosed active ingredients
- Product sold as a legal supplement (Superdrol has been a controlled substance since 2014)
- Severe or unexpected adverse effects suggesting adulterated or mislabeled product
References
- Severe Cholestatic Jaundice in a Recreational Bodybuilder Using Superdrol (Methasterone): A Case Report and Literature ReviewNasr, J., Ahmad, J.Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2009)
Case report documenting severe cholestatic hepatitis in a bodybuilder following a short course of Superdrol, with bilirubin levels exceeding 20 mg/dL. Full recovery occurred after several weeks of supportive care and cessation of the compound. Highlights the disproportionate hepatotoxicity of methasterone relative to other oral anabolic steroids.
- Drug-Induced Liver Injury from Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: A Systematic ReviewBond, P., Llewellyn, W., Van Mol, P.Drug Safety (2022)
Systematic review of anabolic steroid-induced liver injury identifying methasterone (Superdrol) as one of the most frequently implicated compounds in cases of severe cholestatic jaundice. The review found that 17-alpha-alkylated steroids as a class carry hepatotoxic risk, but methasterone was overrepresented in serious adverse event reports relative to its prevalence of use.
- Cholestatic Jaundice and IgA Nephropathy Associated with the Use of Methyldrostanolone (Superdrol)Holtzclaw, B.H., Sanchez, J.E.Clinical Nephrology (2013)
Case report describing concurrent cholestatic jaundice and IgA nephropathy in a young male following Superdrol use, demonstrating that the compound's toxicity can extend beyond hepatic injury to include renal complications. Both conditions resolved after discontinuation and supportive treatment.
- Designer Steroids -- Over-the-Counter Supplements and Their Androgenic Component: Review of an Increasing ProblemRahnema, C.D., Crosnoe, L.E., Kim, E.D.Andrology (2015)
Review of designer anabolic steroids sold as over-the-counter supplements, including Superdrol, detailing the regulatory failures that allowed potent anabolic steroids to be marketed as dietary supplements. Discusses the clinical consequences including hepatotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and cardiovascular risk.
- The Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014United States CongressPublic Law 113-260 (2014)
Federal legislation that added methasterone (Superdrol) and numerous other designer steroids to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, closing the regulatory loophole that had allowed these potent anabolic agents to be sold legally as dietary supplements.
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Disclaimer
This information is for educational and research purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before use.