Chemical structure: 17 alpha-methyl-5alpha-androstano [3,2-c]pyrazol-17 beta-ol
Molecular formula: C22H36N2O
Molecular weight of the base: 344.5392
Active lifespan: 8 hours for most oral variants, 48 hours for the injectable variant
Anabolic/Androgenic Ratio: 320/30
Recommended dose: 30-50mg per day
Recommended duration of treatment: 6 to 8 weeks
One of the most popular and widely recognized anabolic steroids, stanozolol enjoys high popularity among steroid users. However, it is possibly one of the more overused compounds, as its capabilities and effects are only fully realized by a minority of users who administer it for a specific purpose.
Stanozolol is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone. Despite this, most users of the drug will find its activity to be quite mild compared to other compounds with a similar chemical origin. Individuals seeking mass gains will likely be disappointed using stanozolol for this purpose. It is generally considered a "cutting" compound (for fat loss and definition). Due to the lack of water retention, most users find they can achieve a lean appearance as long as their body fat is relatively low. Generally, the anabolic effects achieved through this drug's use are a result of its ability to increase protein synthesis and nitrogen retention (2,4). However, as mentioned earlier, these effects are mild at best.
Many users anecdotally report that their joints and ligaments feel dry when using stanozolol, and often complain of ligament pain when lifting heavy weights. This would seemingly make the drug a poor choice for athletes other than bodybuilders trying to achieve a specific "look," but there is some scientific evidence suggesting that stanozolol may actually strengthen tendons and ligaments. However, since the vast majority of users report ligament and joint pain while using the compound, it is difficult to recommend using the drug if peak performance for athletic competition is desired.
Like most anabolic steroids, oral administration of stanozolol has a fairly dramatic effect on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in the body. In the case of stanozolol, this can be quite potent, relatively speaking. This is because plasma-binding proteins, such as SHBG, temporarily prevent steroid hormones from performing their intended activities. By limiting this, it results in a higher percentage of free steroid hormone circulating in the body. This could result in a mechanism whereby stanozolol could help increase the potency of a concurrently used steroid (5). Whether this benefit is actually worth using stanozolol in a cycle that would otherwise not include it is something the user will have to experiment with for themselves, as there simply isn't enough evidence to draw a definitive conclusion.
Use / Dosage
Stanozolol is available as both an oral steroid and an injectable. While there are no differences in the compound itself, there are several advantages and disadvantages to using each form. First, an animal study showed that the injectable version of the compound was far superior to the oral version for nitrogen retention (2). This obviously means it's better at maintaining or building muscle mass, something anyone using the compound would naturally be looking for.
Another advantage of injecting stanozolol is that it bypasses the compound's first pass through the liver and is therefore less toxic to the organ. Despite these advantages, however, there are some drawbacks to choosing injection, namely user comfort. Stanozolol is notorious for causing pain at the injection site during administration and possibly for several days afterward, as anecdotally reported by users. This often leads users to administer the compound orally, especially since the compound's unique structure allows the injectable version to be taken orally.
Given that stanozolol's active lifespan is only eight hours, multiple doses of the oral compound throughout the day are recommended. Regarding injections, once daily is optimal to maintain stable blood levels of the compound, but every other day should be sufficient due to its active lifespan.
Male users will often find that doses in the range of 25-100 mg per day are sufficient to see results with this compound. It's often anecdotally reported that most first-time users typically use 50 mg per day and are generally satisfied with the effects.
Stanozolol is also a fairly popular drug among women. This is primarily due to the compound's anabolic nature, which minimizes the risk of androgenic side effects. Early female users anecdotally report that doses ranging from 5-15 mg per day produce quite dramatic results. However, as with most compounds, users have experimented with much higher doses, with the associated side effects becoming more apparent as dosages increase.
Due to the toxicity issues associated with stanozolol, it's generally recommended that users limit their cycles of the compound to six weeks or less. However, many users have exceeded this limit while using high doses and reported few, if any, complications. If an individual decides to use stanozolol for an extended period, they should monitor their liver function with blood tests to ensure no permanent damage occurs.
Side Effects/Risks
The oral form of stanozolol is a 17-alpha-alkylated compound, and therefore liver toxicity should be a concern for those taking this compound. Elevated liver function tests will undoubtedly occur while using this drug. Even with the injectable version, liver damage can occur, so precautions are necessary.
Stanozolol also has a significant impact on the user's cholesterol levels, often lowering HDL while simultaneously raising LDL, even at extremely low doses. Users with a history of cholesterol-related health problems should exercise caution when using this compound.
Androgen-related side effects such as acne, prostate enlargement, and worsening male pattern baldness are frequently reported by users. Anecdotally, many users have reported that stanozolol is one of the most severe agents for hair loss. Many simply won't risk using the compound because of this.
As mentioned, estrogenic side effects are not a factor with this compound, as it does not aromatize. Virilizing side effects in women are much less likely to occur than with most other anabolic compounds, but there is still a risk of them occurring, especially with higher doses. These include, as always, deepening of the voice, body/facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement, among others.
References
- Ellis AJ, Cawston TE, Mackie EJ., The differential effects of stanozolol on human skin and synovial fibroblasts in vitro: DNA synthesis and receptor binding., Agents Actions 1994 Mar;41(1-2):37-43
- Olson ME, Morck DW, Quinn KB. The effect of stanozolol on 15nitrogen retention in the dog. Can J Vet Res. 2000 Oct;64(4):246-8
- Minuto F, Barreca A, Melioli G. Indirect evidence of hormone abuse. Proof of doping? J Endocrinol Invest. 2003 Sep;26(9):919-23.
- Brestel EP, Thrush LB., The treatment of glucocorticosteroid-dependent chronic urticaria with stanozolol., J Allergy Clin Immunol 1988 Aug;82(2):265-9
- Llewellyn, William, Anabolics 2004, 2003-4, Molecular Nutrition, pp. 173-5
