Metenolone

Metenolone
Clinical data
Trade namesPrimobolan, Nibal (as metenolone acetate); Primobolan Depot, Nibal Injection (as metenolone enanthate)
Other namesMethenolone; Methylandrostenolone; 1-Methyl-δ1-4,5α-dihydrotestosterone; 1-Methyl-δ1-DHT; 1-Methyl-5α-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
Routes of
administration
By mouth (as metenolone acetate), intramuscular injection (as metenolone enanthate)
Drug classAndrogen; Anabolic steroid
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
IUPAC name
  • (5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S,17S)-17-hydroxy-1,10,13-trimethyl-4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.005.285
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC20H30O2
Molar mass302.458 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
SMILES
  • O=C2\C=C(\C)[C@@]3([C@H]1CC[C@@]4([C@@H](O)CC[C@H]4[C@@H]1CC[C@H]3C2)C)C
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C20H30O2/c1-12-10-14(21)11-13-4-5-15-16-6-7-18(22)19(16,2)9-8-17(15)20(12,13)3/h10,13,15-18,22H,4-9,11H2,1-3H3/t13-,15-,16-,17-,18-,19-,20-/m0/s1 Y
  • Key:ANJQEDFWRSLVBR-VHUDCFPWSA-N Y

Metenolone, or methenolone, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) which is used in the form of esters such as metenolone acetate (brand name Primobolan, Nibal) and metenolone enanthate (brand name Primobolan Depot, Nibal Injection).[2][3][4][5][6] Metenolone esters are used mainly in the treatment of anemia due to bone marrow failure.[7] Metenolone acetate is taken by mouth, while metenolone enanthate is given by injection into muscle.[6]

Side effects of metenolone esters include symptoms of masculinization like acne, increased hair growth, voice changes, and increased sexual desire.[6] Metenolone esters are synthetic androgens and anabolic steroids and hence are agonists of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).[6][8] They have moderate anabolic effects and weak androgenic effects, as well as no estrogenic effects or risk of liver damage.[6][8] Metenolone esters are androgen esters and prodrugs of metenolone in the body.[6]

Metenolone esters were introduced for medical use in the early 1960s.[6] In addition to their medical use, metenolone esters are used to improve physique and performance.[6] The drugs are controlled substances in many countries and so non-medical use is generally illicit.[6] They have mostly been discontinued for medical use and have limited availability.[5][6]

  1. ^ Anvisa (2023-03-31). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 2023-04-04). Archived from the original on 2023-08-03. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  2. ^ Elks J (14 November 2014). The Dictionary of Drugs: Chemical Data: Chemical Data, Structures and Bibliographies. Springer. pp. 784–. ISBN 978-1-4757-2085-3.
  3. ^ Index Nominum 2000: International Drug Directory. Taylor & Francis. 2000. pp. 659–660. ISBN 978-3-88763-075-1.
  4. ^ Morton IK, Hall JM (6 December 2012). Concise Dictionary of Pharmacological Agents: Properties and Synonyms. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 178–. ISBN 978-94-011-4439-1.
  5. ^ a b "List of Androgens and anabolic steroids". Drugs.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j William Llewellyn (2011). Anabolics. Molecular Nutrition Llc. pp. 625–, 633–. ISBN 978-0-9828280-1-4.
  7. ^ Handelsman DJ (25 February 2015). "Androgen Physiology, Pharmacology, and Abuse". In Jameson JL, De Groot LJ (eds.). Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 2388–. ISBN 978-0-323-32195-2.
  8. ^ a b Kicman AT (June 2008). "Pharmacology of anabolic steroids". British Journal of Pharmacology. 154 (3): 502–521. doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.165. PMC 2439524. PMID 18500378.