Mesterolone

Mesterolone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
1α-Methyl-17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names
  • Prescription Only (AU)
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism Liver
Identifiers
1424-00-6 
G03BB01
PubChem CID 15020
ChemSpider 14296 Yes
UNII 0SRQ75X9I9 Yes
KEGG D04947 Yes
ChEMBL CHEMBL258918 Yes
Chemical data
Formula C20H32O2
304.467 g/mol
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Mesterolone is an orally applicable androgen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative. It is sold under the brand name Proviron (as Provironum in Asia-Pacific region), by Bayer Schering Pharma (earlier by Schering). In the late 70s and early 80s, it was used with some success in controlled studies of men suffering from various forms of depression. Mesterolone is a relatively weak androgen and rarely used for replacement therapies.[1]

Trials

In one small scale clinical trial of depressed patients, an improvement of symptoms which included anxiety, lack of drive and desire was observed.[2] In patients with dysthymia, unipolar, and bipolar depression significant improvement was observed.[2] In this series of studies, mesterolone lead to a significant decrease in LH and testosterone levels. In another study, 100 mg mesterolone cipionate was administered twice monthly. With regards to plasma T levels, there was no difference between the treated vs untreated group, and baseline LH levels were minimally affected.[3]

Bodybuilding

Mesterolone had seen widespread use in bodybuilding primarily for antiestrogenic activity in anabolic steroid stacks but such use has declined after introduction of aromatase inhibitors and SERMs. Most significant benefits of current Mesterolone use are considered by bodybuilders to be maintaining libido off-cycle and also relatively and temporarily improving vascularity.[4]

See also

References

  1. Nieschlag E, Behre HM, Bouchard P et al. (2004). "Testosterone replacement therapy: current trends and future directions". Hum. Reprod. Update 10 (5): 409–19. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmh035. PMID 15297434.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Itil TM, Michael ST, Shapiro DM, Itil KZ (June 1984). "The effects of mesterolone, a male sex hormone in depressed patients (a double blind controlled study)". Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 6 (6): 331–7. PMID 6431212.
  3. Kövary PM, Lenau H, Niermann H, Zierden E, Wagner H (May 1977). "Testosterone levels and gonadotrophins in Klinefelter's patients treated with injections of mesterolone cipionate". Arch Dermatol Res 258 (3): 289–94. doi:10.1007/bf00561132. PMID 883846.
  4. Meso-RX Steroid Profiles - Proviron (Mesterolone)
  5. Brooks, J. R.; Primka, R. L.; Berman, C; Krupa, D. A.; Reynolds, G. F.; Rasmusson, G. H. (1991). "Topical anti-androgenicity of a new 4-azasteroid in the hamster". Steroids 56 (8): 428–33. doi:10.1016/0039-128x(91)90031-p. PMID 1788861.

Further reading