Description:
Winstrol is the most widely recognized trade name for the drug stanozolol.
Stanozolol is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone, chemically altered so that
the hormone’s anabolic (tissue-building) properties are greatly amplified
and its androgenic activity minimized. Stanozolol is classified as an
“anabolic” steroid, and exhibits one of the strongest dissociations of
anabolic to androgenic effect among commercially available agents. It also
cannot be aromatized into estrogens. Stanozolol is the second most widely
used oral steroid, succeeded in popularity only by Dianabol
(methandrostenolone). It is favored for its ability to promote muscle growth
without water-retention, making it highly valued by dieting bodybuilders
and competitive athletes.
History:
Stanozolol was first described in 1959.613 It was developed into a medicine
by Winthrop Laboratories in Great Britain. Parent firm (Sterling) filed for
U.S. patent on the agent in 1961.614 Stanozolol was officially released to the
U.S. prescription drug market in 1962 under the brand name Winstrol.
Stanozolol was initially prescribed for a variety of medical purposes,
including the induction of appetite and lean tissue gain in cases of weight
loss associated with many malignant and non-malignant diseases, the
preservation of bone mass during osteoporosis, the promotion of liner
growth in children with growth failure, as an anti-catabolic during
prolonged corticosteroid therapy or for post-operative and post-trauma
(burns, fractures) patients, and even to treat debility in the elderly.
The FDA’s control over the prescription drug market had tightened by the
mid-1970’s, and the indicated uses for Winstrol were soon narrowed.
During this time the FDA officially supported that Winstrol was “Probably
Effective” as an adjunct therapy for treating osteoporosis, and for
promoting growth in pituitary-deficient dwarfism. With this position,
Winthrop was given more time to sell and study the agent. Winthrop was
able to continually satisfy the FDA regarding Winstrol’s validity as a
therapeutic agent, and it remained in the U.S. throughout the 1980’s and
1990’s, a time when many other anabolic steroids were disappearing from
the marketplace. Stanozolol was also showing some promise during this
period for improving red blood cell concentrations, combating breast
cancer, and (more recently) treating angioedema, a disorder characterized
by the swelling of subdermal tissues, often with hereditary causes.
Winthrop went through a number of corporate changes during the 1990’s,
including a 1991 merger with Elf Sanofi to form Sanofi Winthrop. Sanofi
Winthrop continued on to sell Winstrol in the U.S. for approximately 10
more years, before finally discontinuing the medication because of
“manufacturing issues” (Searle was actually making the product for Sanofi
at the time, and had reportedly ceased production). In 2003, the rights to
Winstrol were officially transferred to Ovation ***************. Winstrol
remains an approved drug on the U.S. ************** market, although is
not under active production by Ovation label. All forms of Winstrol are
presently unavailable in the U.S., although the Winstrol brand remains
available in Spain. Numerous other brands and generic forms of the drug
are produced in other countries, in both human and veterinary drug markets.
How Supplied:
Stanozolol is widely available in both human and veterinary drug markets.
Composition and dosage may vary by country and manufacturer. Stanozolol
was originally designed as an oral anabolic steroid, containing 2mg of drug
per tablet (Winstrol). Other brands commonly contain 5 mg or 10 mg per
tablet. Stanozolol can also be found in injectable preparations. These are
most commonly water-based suspensions carrying 50 mg/ml of steroid.
Structural Characteristics:
Stanozolol is a modified form of dihydrotestosterone. It differs by: 1) the
addition of a methyl group at carbon 17-alpha to protect the hormone
during oral administration and 2) the attachment of a pyrazol group to the
A-ring, replacing the normal 3-keto group (this gives stanozolol the
chemical classification of a heterocyclic steroid). When viewed in the light
of 17-alpha methyldihydrotestosterone, the A-ring modification on
stanozolol seems to considerably increase its anabolic strength while
reducing its relative androgenicity.
Stanozolol has a much weaker relative binding affinity for the androgen
receptor than testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. At the same time it
displays a much longer half-life and lower affinity for serum binding
proteins in comparison. These features (among others) allow stanozolol to
be a very potent anabolic steroid in spite of a weaker affinity for receptor
binding. Recent studies have additionally confirmed that its primary mode
if action involves interaction with the cellular androgen receptor.615
Although not fully elucidated, stanozolol may have additional (some
potentially unique) properties with regard to antagonism of the progesterone
receptor, Low Affinity Glucocorticoid-binding Site interaction, and
AR/PR/GR independent activities.616 617 618 In therapeutic doses stanozolol
does not have significant progestational activity.619
Stanozolol is known to strongly suppress levels of SHBG (sex hormonebinding
globulin). This trait is characteristic of all anabolic/androgenic
steroids, although its potency and form of administration make oral
Winstrol® particularly effective in this regard. One study with a group of
25 normal males demonstrated a 48.4% reduction in SHBG after only 3
days of use.620 The dose administered was .2mg/kg, or roughly 18mg for a
person weighing 200lbs. Plasma binding proteins such as SHBG act to
temporarily constrain steroid hormones from exerting activity in the body,
and effectively reduce the available percentage of free (active) steroid. Oral
stanozolol may be useful for providing a greater percentage of unbound
steroid in the body, especially when taken in combination with a hormone
that is more avidly bound by SHBG, such as testosterone.
Side Effects (Estrogenic):
Stanozolol is not aromatized by the body, and is not measurably estrogenic.
An anti-estrogen is not necessary when using this steroid, as gynecomastia
should not be a concern even among sensitive individuals. Since estrogen is
the usual culprit with water retention, stanozolol instead produces a lean,
quality look to the physique with no fear of excess subcutaneous fluid
retention. This makes it a favorable steroid to use during cutting cycles,
when water and fat retention are major concerns. Stanozolol is also very
popular among athletes in combination strength/speed sports such as Track
and Field. In such disciplines one usually does not want to carry around
excess water weight, and may find the raw muscle-growth brought about by
stanozolol to be quite favorable over the lower quality mass gains of
aromatizable agents.
Side Effects (Androgenic):
Although classified as an anabolic steroid, androgenic side effects are still
common with this substance. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne, and
body/facial hair growth. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also aggravate
male pattern hair loss. Women are also warned of the potential virilizing
effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids. These may include a deepening of
the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair
growth, and clitoral enlargement. Additionally, the 5-alpha reductase
enzyme does not metabolize stanozolol, so its relative androgenicity is not
affected by finasteride or dutasteride. Stanozolol is a steroid with relatively
low androgenic activity in relation to its tissue-building actions, making the
threshold for strong androgenic side effects comparably higher than more
androgenic agents such as testosterone, methandrostenolone, or
fluoxymesterone.
Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):
Stanozolol is a c17-alpha alkylated compound. This alteration protects the
drug from deactivation by the liver, allowing a very high percentage of the
drug entry into the bloodstream following oral administration. C17-alpha
alkylated anabolic/androgenic steroids can be hepatotoxic. Prolonged or
high exposure may result in liver damage. In rare instances life-threatening
dysfunction may develop. It is advisable to visit a physician periodically
during each cycle to monitor liver function and overall health. Intake of
c17-alpha alkylated steroids is commonly limited to 6-8 weeks, in an effort
to avoid escalating liver strain.
Stanozolol appears to offer less hepatic stress than an equivalent dose of
Dianabol (methandrostenolone). Studies giving 12mg of stanozolol per day
for 27 weeks failed to demonstrate clinically-significant changes in markers
of liver function, including serum aspartate amino-transferase, alanine
amino-transferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, bilirubin, and alkaline
phosphatase.621 Relative hepatotoxicity increases as the dosage escalates, so
hepatic dysfunction should still be a concern. In rare instances, high doses
(alone or in combination with other steroids) have been implicated in cases
of serious life-threatening hepatotoxicity in bodybuilders. Injectable
stanozolol has also been implicated in severe hepatotoxicity in an otherwise
healthy bodybuilder,622 and should not be used as an alternative medication
when liver toxicity precludes oral stanozolol use.
The use of a liver detoxification supplement such as Liver Stabil, Liv-52, or
Essentiale Forte is advised while taking any hepatotoxic
anabolic/androgenic steroids.
Side Effects (Cardiovascular):
Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum
cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL (good) cholesterol
values and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL
to LDL balance in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The
relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum lipids is
dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral vs. injectable), type of
steroid (aromatizable or non-aromatizable), and level of resistance to
hepatic metabolism. Stanozolol has a strong effect on the hepatic
management of cholesterol due to its structural resistance to liver
breakdown, non-aromatizable nature, and route of administration. Studies
using an oral dose of 6 mg per day for six weeks demonstrated a mean
serum HDL reduction of 33% in healthy male weight-training subjects,
which was combined with a 29% increase in serum LDL.623
Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely affect blood pressure and
triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and support left ventricular
hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and
myocardial infarction.
Injectable stanozolol has also been documented to produce strong negative
changes in serum lipids. One study was carried out on a group of 12 healthy
male subjects, and demonstrated a measurable reduction in HDL cholesterol
values, as well as an increase in LDL and total cholesterol values, following
a single injection of 50 mg.624 These changes persisted for 4 weeks after the
drug was administered, and represent a potential increased risk for
developing arteriosclerosis. Injectable stanozolol should not be used as an
alternative medication when cardiovascular risk factors preclude oral
stanozolol use.
To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to maintain an active
cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats,
cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS
administration. Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per day) and a
natural cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a product
with comparable ingredients is also recommended.
Side Effects (Testosterone Suppression):
All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses sufficient to promote
muscle gain are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production.
Stanozolol is no exception, and is noted for its strong influence on the
hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Clinical studies giving 10 mg per day
to healthy male subjects for 14 days caused the mean plasma testosterone
level to fall by 55%.625 Without the intervention of testosterone-stimulating
substances, testosterone levels should return to normal within 1-4 months of
drug secession. Note that prolonged hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can
develop secondary to steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.
The above side effects are not inclusive. For more detailed discussion of
potential side effects, see the Steroid Side Effects section of this book.
Administration (General):
Studies have shown that taking an oral anabolic steroid with food may
decrease its bioavailability.626 This is caused by the fat-soluble nature of
steroid hormones, which can allow some of the drug to dissolve with
undigested dietary fat, reducing its absorption from the gastrointestinal
tract. For maximum utilization, oral forms of stanozolol should be taken on
an empty stomach.
There can be large discrepancies in the steroid particle size between
injectable stanozolol preparations. For example, Winstrol from Zambon
(Spain) was designed for human use, and uses a refined powder that will
pass through a 27-gauge needle. Winstrol®-V is a veterinary product in the
U.S. and Canada, and has larger particles that will jam in needles smaller
than 22-gauge. Solutions that utilize a larger particle size may also cause
more discomfort at the site of injection. Injectable forms of stanozolol can
be taken in measured oral doses should injection prove intolerable.
Administration (Men):
The original prescribing guidelines for Winstrol called for a daily dosage of
6 mg, which was administered on a schedule of one 2 mg tablet three times
per day. The usual dosage for physique- or performance-enhancing
purposes is between 15 mg and 25 mg per day, or three to five 5 mg tablets,
taken for no longer than 6-8 weeks. Injectable Winstrol is generally
recommended at a clinical dosage of one 50 mg injection every 2-3 weeks.
When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, a dosage of
50 mg every other day is most commonly applied. Veterinary stanozolol
preparations with a larger particle size will be more slowly dispersed by the
body, and are commonly given at 75 mg every third day. Doses of 50 mg
per day with injectable stanozolol are not uncommon, although probably
not advised. Note that injectable forms of the drug are expected to have,
milligram for milligram, a greater anabolic effect than oral.627
Stanozolol is often combined with other steroids for a more dramatic result.
For example, while bulking one might opt to add in 200-400 mg of a
testosterone ester (cypionate, enanthate, or propionate) per week. The result
should be a considerable gain in new muscle mass, with a more comfortable
level of water and fat retention than if taking a higher dose of testosterone
alone. For dieting phases, one might alternately combine stanozolol with a
non-aromatizing steroid such as 150 mg per week of a trenbolone ester or
200-300 mg of Primobolan® (methenolone enanthate). Such stacks are
highly favored for increasing definition and muscularity. An in-between
(lean mass gain) might be to add in 200-400 mg of a low estrogenic
compound like Deca-Durabolin® (nandrolone decanoate) or Equipoise®
(boldenone undecylenate).
Administration (Women):
The original prescribing guidelines for Winstrol called for a daily dosage of
4 mg (one 2mg tablet twice daily) with young women particularly
susceptible to the androgenic effects of anabolic steroids. This dosage was
increased to 6mg (the same as the recommended dose for males) when
necessary. When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, a
dosage of 5 mg to 10 mg daily is most common, taken for no longer than 4-
6 weeks. Injectable Winstrol is generally recommended at a clinical dose of
50 mg every 2-3 weeks. The injectable is usually not advised with women
for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, as it allows for less
control over blood hormone levels. Those women who absolutely must use
the injectable commonly administer 25 mg every 3 or 4 days. Although this
compound is weakly androgenic, the risk of virilization symptoms cannot
be completely excluded, even at therapeutic doses.
Availability:
Stanozolol remains widely available as a ************** product. Its
production has been shifting to less regulated markets (mainly in Asia) in
recent years, however, which likely reflects declining interest in using
stanozolol as a medicinal product in the West, and the continuing high
demand for this drug among athletes and bodybuilders. In reviewing some
of the more popular products and changes on the global **************
market, we have made the following observations.
British Dispensary in Thailand makes a stanozolol product. Their trade
name for the drug is Azolol, and it contains 5 mg of steroid in a 400 tablet
bottle. The bottle itself looks very similar to that of Androlic, with dark
plastic and a shiny chrome top. Be sure to look for the company’s
holographic sticker when shopping.
Stanol (Thailand) is now sold as a generic drug under the March
*************** label, though is in the same recognizable white bottle with
green-shaded label. The product contains 5 mg of steroid per tablet, and
each bottles holds 200 tablets. To deter counterfeiting, the bottle now
carries a holographic sticker on the front that bears the company logo.
Acdhon in Thailand makes Stanozodon, which comes in the old industry
standard of 2 mg of steroid per tablet. It is packaged in bottles of 1,000.
Counterfeits are not known to be a problem at this time although the
product is not widely distributed on the black market either.
Unigen markets the product Stanztab in Thailand. It contains 10 mg per
tablet, and is packaged in foil and plastic strips of 10 tablets each (5 strips
per box).
Winstrol® tablets and injectable ampules are still produced in Spain, by
Desma. This remains the most popular stanozolol injectable in Europe. All
boxes are protected with a holographic sticker, which carries the company
logo embedded into the image. Note that highly accurate counterfeits are
currently in circulation throught Europe and North America.
The Greek generic by Genepharm is still in production. The product should
carry a Greek drug ID sticker on the box, which will show a hidden mark
under UV light.
Chinfield makes a 50 mg/mL injectable stanozolol in Argentina called
Nabolic Strong. This is the same firm that makes regular Nabolic, a very
low dosed (2 mg/mL) version of the same drug. This new product is now
much more popular on the black market than the first, due to the more
useable dosage. Note that Chinfield prints their logo on the inside of the
vial carton, which offers somewhat of a simple security check (obviously
one very easy to duplicate).
Anabolico Cimol is an injectable form of stanozolol from Argentina. It
comes in multi-dose vials containing 50 mg/mL of the steroid. This item
has not been subject to widescale counterfeiting, but also bears no security
features that would deter this practice.
Stanozoland from Landerlan in Paraguay is common on the black market,
particularly in South America. It comes in the form of a 10 mg tablets,
packaged in bottles of 100 tablets each. The company also makes a 50
mg/mL injectable.
Also from Paraguay is a generic stanozolol injectable from Indufar. It
contains 50 mg/mL of steroid in a 1 mL glass ampule. Three ampules are
packaged per box.
Formula Magistral in Argentina makes generic oral and injectable
Estanozolol. The oral comes in the form of 10 mg tablets, loose in pill
bottles, while the injectable contains 50 mg/mL in multi-dose vials. These
products bear a small square holographic security sticker to deter
counterfeiting.
The veterinary compounding ******** SMP in Canada makes a generic
injectable in 30 mL multi-dose vials (50 mg/mL). This product is made in
limited quantities, however, and is not highly common on the black market.
Originally Posted by Liftpower23
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