Deca-Durabolin® is the Organon brand name for the injectable steroid nandrolone decanoate. This compound came around early in the wave of commercial steroid development, first being made available as a prescription medication in 1962.This steroid is an extremely long acting compound, with the decanoate ester said to provide this drug a slow release time of up to three or four weeks. While perhaps true in a technical sense, what we find with further investigation is that the release parameters after a single injection are such that a strong release of nandrolone is really only maintained for one to two weeks. This figure admittedly fails to take into account drug buildup that may occur after multiple injections, which may allow a longer duration of good effect to be seen. Figure 1 is provided to illustrate the release dynamics of a single 200mg injection. As you will see, by the end of the second week levels are already approaching baseline.
World Wide "Deca" is one of the most widely used anabolic steroids. Its popularity is due to the simple fact that it exhibits many very favorable properties. Structurally nandrolone is very similar to testosterone,although it lacks a carbon atom at the 19th position (hence its other name 19-nortestosterone). The resulting structure is a steroid that exhibits much weaker androgenic properties than testosterone. Of primary interest is the fact that nandrolone will not break down to a more potent metabolite in androgen target tissues". You may remember this is a significant problem with testosterone. Although nandrolone does undergo reduction via the same (5-alpha reductase) enzyme that produces DHTfrom testosterone, the result in this case is dihydronandrolone. This metabolite is weaker than the parent nandrolone,and is far less likely to cause unwanted androgenic side effects. Strong occurrences of oily skin, acne, body/facial hair growth and hair loss occur very rarely. It is however possible for androgenic activity to become apparent with this as any steroid, but with nandrolone100 higher than normal doses are usually responsible.
Nandrolone also show an extremely lower tendency for estrogen conversion. For comparison, the rate has been estimated to be only about 20% of that seen with testosterone101.This is because while the liver can convert nandrolone to estradiol, in other more active sites of steroid aromatization such as adipose tissue nandrolone is far less open to this process102. Consequently estrogen related side effects are a much lower concern with this drug. An anti-estrogen is likewise rarely needed with Deca, gynecomastia only a worry among sensitive individuals. At the same time water retention is not a usual concern. This effect can occur however, but is most often related to higher dosages. The addition of Proviron® and/or Nolvadex® should prove sufficient enough to significantly reduce any occurrence. Clearly Deca is a very safe choice among steroids. Actually, many consider it to be the best overall steroid for a man to use when weighing the side effects and results. It should also be noted that in HIV studies, Deca has been shown not only to be effective at safely bringing up the lean body weight of patient, but also to be beneficial to the immune system.
It is of note however that nandrolone is believed to have some activity as a progestin in the body103. Although progesterone is a c-19 steroid, removal of this group as in 19-norprogesterone creates a hormone with greater binding affinity for its corresponding receptor. Sharing this trait, many 19-nor anabolic steroids are shown to have some affinity for the progesterone receptor as well104.This can lead to some progestin-like activity in the body, and may intensify related side effects. The side effects associated with progesterone are actually quite similar to those of estrogen, including negative feedback inhibition of testosterone production, enhanced rate of fat storage and possibly gynecomastia. Many believe the progestin activity of Deca notably contributes to suppression of testosterone synthesis, which can be marked despite a low tendency for estrogen conversion105.
Deca is not known as a very "fast" builder. The muscle building effect of this drug is quite noticeable, but not dramatic.The slow onset and mild properties of this steroid therefore make it more suited for cycles with a longer duration. In general one can expect to gain muscle weight at about half the rate of that with an equal amount of testosterone. A cycle lasting eight to twelve weeks seems to make the most sense, expecting to elicit a slow, even gain of quality mass. Although active in the body for much longer, Deca is usually injected once per week.The dosage for men is usually in the range of 200-600mg. If looking to be specific, it is believed that Deca will exhibit its optimal effect (best gain/side effect ratio) at around 2mg per pound of bodyweight/weekly. Deca is also a popular steroid among female bodybuilders. They take a much lower dosage on average than men of course, usually around 50mg weekly. Although only slightly androgenic, women are occasionally confronted with virilization symptoms when taking this compound. Should this become a concern, the shorter acting nandrolone Durabolin® would be a safer option.This drug stays active for only a few days, greatly reducing the impact of androgenic buildup if withdrawal were indicated.
As mentioned earlier, endogenous testosterone levels can be a concern with Deca-Durabolin®, especially after long cycles. It is therefore a good idea to incorporate ancillary drugs at the conclusion of therapy. An estrogen antagonist such as Clomid® or Nolvadex® is therefore commonly used for a few weeks. These both provide a good level of testosterone stimulation, although they may take a couple of weeks to show the best effect. HCG injections could be added for extra reassurance, acting to rapidly restore the normal ability of the testes to respond to the resumed release of gonadotropins. For this purpose one could administer three injections of 2,500-5,000111, spaced five days apart. After which point the anti-estrogen is continued alone for a few more weeks in an effort to stabilize the production of testosterone. Remember to begin the ancillaries after Deca has been withdrawn for a few weeks, not the first week after the last shot. Deca stays active for quite some time so the ancillary drugs will not be able to exhibit their optimal effect when the steroid is still being released into the bloodstream.
The major drawback for competitive purposes is that in many cases nandrolone metabolites will be detectable in a drug screen for up to a year (or more) after use. This is clearly due to the form of administration. As discussed earlier in this book, esterified compounds have a high affinity to stay stored in fatty tissues. While we can accurately estimate the time frame it will take for a given dose to enter circulation from an injection site, we cannot know for sure that 100% of the steroid will have been metabolized at any given point. Small amounts may indeed be stubborn in leaving fatty tissue, particularly after heavy, longer-term use. Some quantity of nandrolone decanoate may therefore be left to sporadically enter into the blood stream many months after use.This process may be further aggravated when dieting for a show, a time when body fat sores are being actively depleted (possibly freeing more steroid).This has no doubt been the cause for many unexpected positives on a drug screen.The fact that nandrolone has been isolated as the"hands-off" injectable for the drug tested athlete is most likely due to its popularity (and therefore common appearance on drug screens).The same risk would of course hold true for other long chain esterified injectables such as Equipoise®, Parabolan and Primobolan®.
On the other hand, the use of oral nandrolone precursors norandrostenedione and norandrostenediol (now considered controlled substances in the U.S.) can al
low the drug-tested athlete the benefit of an injectable nandrolone, without the same risk for a positive result. A recently published French study demonstrates this. During this investigation, it was shown that trace levels of the nandrolone metabolites norandrosterone and noretiocholanolone could be found in human urine up to eight months after a single 50mg injection of nandrolone undecanoate106. This time frame shrank to only 8 days with norandrostenediol (50mg) and norandrostenedione (1 OOmg). I have also had the opportunity to speak with an amateur bodybuilder recently, who was unexpectedly subject to a drug screen and now strongly supports the use of oral precursor hormones. He was using up to 3 grams norandrostenedione daily not very far from the date of the show, and to his amazement did not test positive for steroid use. Although not currently available, the possibility does exist that an Andriol®-type drug could be developed with a nandrolone base, which would allow for much closer use to tested events.
Those not subject to a drug screen are likely to find the low water retention and good effect of this drug favorable for use in pre-contest cutting stacks. A combination of Deca and Winstrol® during the weeks/months leading up to a show for example, is noted to greatly enhance the look of muscularity and definition. A strong non-aromatizing androgen like Halotestin® or trenbolone could be further added, providing an enhanced level of hardness and density to the muscles. Being an acceptable anabolic, Deca can also be incorporated into bulk cycles with good results.The classic Deca and Dianabol cycle has been a basic for decades, and always seems to provide excellent muscle growth. A stronger androgen such as Anadrol 50® or testosterone could also be substituted, producing greater results. When mixed with Deca, the androgen dosage can be kept lower than if used alone, hopefully making the cycle more comfortable. Additionally one may choose to continue Deca for a number of few weeks after the androgen has been stopped.This will hopefully harden up some of the bloat produced by the androgen, giving a more quality appearance. Remember that endogenous testosterone production will not resume during Deca therapy, and ancillaries are likewise still needed.
Deca-Durabolin is one of the most widely duplicated steroids in the world, with fakes taking on many different forms. Since this drug is marketed in so many countries throughout the world, it will no doubt always be a tricky buy. In an effort to help you pick out some of the best products, I will start by running down some of the more popular items currently found on the U.S. black market.
Animal Power makes a nandrolone decanoate product in Mexico, called Deca 300.This is a high dosed formulation containing 300mg/mL of steroid, and is in high demand among athletes as such. Animal Power uses security hologram stickers on all products, which display the company logo as an integral part of the holographic image. Make sure you look for these when shopping, and you should have yourself a safe buy.
Pet's Pharma is another company in the Mexican steroid market. They produce a nandrolone decanoate called Decandrol 300.lt comes in a 10mL vial,with a concentration of 300 mg/mL of steroid.This firm uses a security sticker to deter counterfeiting, however it is not holographic. It is a circle that is half red and half blue, and both inks are a very shiny metallic color (see: Security Stickers). Fakes at this time do not appear to be a big problem.
Nutri-Vet makes a 300mg/mL Deca in Mexico called Ultra Deca 300. Nutri-vet was formerly an underground company, making products specifically for black market sale.They have since garnered registration as a legitimate Mexican veterinary drug manufacturer, however, and are now on my "official" radar. Feedback has been good on this line thus far, although I have not yet lab tested this product.
Quality Vet produces both a 200mg/mL and 300mg/mL nandrolone decanoate product. They are called Deca QV200 and Deca QV300, respectively. The 200mg product comes in both 10mL and 50mL vials, while the 300mg version is currently sold in a 10mL vial only. QV uses a hologram sticker to deter counterfeiting, and has recently started using logo imprinted tops on their injectable vials. This is usually regarded as a quality product from a quality company. Just be careful for cheap looking knockoffs.
Denkall makes a 200mg/mL Deca product in Mexico called Decanandrolen. It comes packaged in 10ml vials, each affixed with a holographic sticker to deter counterfeiting. This product has always had a good reputation on the black market, and represents a good buy provided a real hologram is affixed to the bottle. Note that fakes of the Denkall line with counterfeit holograms are in circulation (see: Security Stickers for more information).
Brovel makes a brand of Deca in Mexico called Norandren, which comes in 50mg/mL and 200mg/mL dosage strengths. This company has been around for decades now, and is well regarded by athletes for the value of their products (they tend to be more affordable than many other producers). Note that Brovel recently updated its packaging to reflect a newer and more detailed look. They have also started using a custom printed blue cap bearing the company's logo. In the past Brovel has been a little inconsistent with implementing new features, so you may not be able to rely on these new traits 100%. Do be sure, however, that any Brovel product carries the proper security sticker.
Tornel makes a generic in Mexico as well, Decanoato de Nandrolona to be specific. This product is a safe buy, although you may expect the steroid dosage to be 20% or so under the label claim of 200mg/mL.
Ttokkyo is no longer in business, and any Nandrolona 300 L.A. in circulation at this time is likely to be fake, not "old stock" Avoid.
British Dragon makes another highly regarded nandrolone decanoate in Thailand, called Decabol. It carries 250mg/mL of steroid in a clear 10mL vial. Current product should not carry a hologram sticker, but will have a bright shiny area on the label that is inlayed metallic foil (red or blue). Also, make sure your product has a custom-formed cap that bears the product name on top.This cap will also cover a rubber stopper that has the company logo imprinted in its surface.
Copies of the Greek Extraboline may still be circulating, and can be identified by an overlapping label placed on the vial, and a box that is devoid of the proper Greek Drug ID sticker. As with all Greek drugs, only buy this when properly boxed so you can place the peel-off pharmacy sticker under (JV lighting to look for the hidden watermark.
Norma Hellas Deca (100 mg/mL nandrolone decanoate in 2mL vials) from Greece is a good product, but also widely counterfeited. The most reliable way to spot the real thing is to only purchase this steroid when packaged in a box with paperwork. This way you can put the Greek drug ID sticker under UV light. It should reveal a hidden mark (see: Security Stickers). If your box does not have this sticker, it is not real.The vial itself should also have a tightly printed label. By that I mean it will have the blue box in the center going all the way to the edge; no margin. Many of the fakes in circulation have distinct white borders above and below the text. Take note also that the real vial lists the lot number first, above the expiration date. If your vial lists them in reverse, it is a fake. Norma also started printing their name directly on the glass, underneath the label. Peel it off, and you should see either NORMA or NORMA HELLAS, in blue or red, underneath.This company is run by a bunch of indecisive people when it comes to their packaging, as it seems to change in small ways every other month.Therefore, the Greek drug ID sticker will be the most reliable counterfeit detection method.
Greek Deca-Durabolin from Organon is another widely counterfeited product.
It is one of only a handful of European nandrolone injectables to be found in multi-dosed vials, making it an easy target for counterfeiters that lack the capacity to produce glass ampules. Again, knowing what to look for is key to avoiding rip-offs. To begin with, make sure you purchase this product only when it comes in a box with the proper Greek drug ID sticker. As with all Greek drugs, the sticker should show a hidden mark under UV light. This is currently the most reliable method of detection, with all Greek drugs.The box itself will carry five vials. If you are looking at the vials themselves, note that the labels on the real product do not have rounded corners. Half of the fakes in circulation carry rounded labels, which is an immediate standout trait. Also check that the lot number and expiration date are printed with black ink, not blue or purple. Lastly, make sure the ink is not too deep of a black.The real thing sort of looks grayish in color, not really a deep crisp black. Photo comparisons are included in the picture section.
BM Pharmaceuticals is a quasi-legit company in India that makes (among other steroids) Deca-Dubol 100, a lOOmg/mL nandrolone decanoate injectable. It is packaged in 2mL multi-dose vials, similar in its format to the 200mg Deca vials from Greece. Feedback on the BM line has been good so far, although their products do not seem to make their way into the U.S. in very high volume.
Organon sells brand name Deca-Durabolin in the United States. This item is such a rare find on the black market, however, that I wound not trust it if located. Fakes must outnumber the real by at least 20 to 1. Should you want to risk it, make sure first that your product is in a maximum dose of 200mg/mL in a 1 mL vial. Fakes are often made as 2mL vials, due to the higher selling price for 400mg. Also, make sure the label does not peel easily off the vial. Real U.S. drugs are made with strong glues so this does not happen. Lastly, look for legitimate date/lot stamping on the box and vial.These should be visibly computer printed (box) and stamped (vial label). Still, there may be many sophisticated fakes that will pass on all counts. Be careful.
Both Watson and Schein Pharmaceuticals have generic nandrolone decanoate products in the U.S. The most commonly dispensed versions for both companies are the 1 mL dark glass vials containing 200mg of steroid. Watson is also known to make a 100mg/mL product as well. Both of these items are also sold in pharmacy packs of 25 vials, if you are lucky enough to locate one. As with Organon Deca, these items are extremely rare finds on the black market. When located, the odds are greatly in favor of them being fakes. As this product is subject to the strict requirements of the U.S. FDA, you should investigate for similar labeling and lot/date stamping traits to Organon Deca-Durabolin.This means the later application of dates on the box and label, and strong glue to avoid product mislabeling.
PB Labs in India is still producing Deca-Pronabol 200.This comes in the form of a 1 mL ampule containing 200mg of steroid.This item is scare on the black market these days, probably because India is not a very hot source country, and other cheaper forms of Deca are more easily found.