Drive® (boldenone/methylandrostenediol blend)
Description:
Drive is an Australian injectable veterinary steroid preparation that contains a blend of methandriol dipropionate and boldenone undecylenate. The two steroids are present in a dose of 25 mg/mL and 30 mg/ml respectively, for a total steroid concentration of 55 mg/mL. Boldenone undecylenate is a highly common steroid most notably identified with the preparation Equipoise®. Methandriol dipropionate, however, is very rarely seen on the U.S. black market. Its character is that of a moderately strong anabolic steroid, which is accompanied by a notable androgenic component. When combined with boldenone, the result is a moderately androgenic/anabolic blend inclined to produce notable muscle mass and strength gains, usually without excessive water retention.
History:
Drive is a product of RWR Veterinary Products (formerly a subsidiary of Nature Vet), sold only on the Australian veterinary drug market. It is designed for use in horses, typically as a general anabolic or health tonic drug for when an animal is weak from vigorous performance. It is supposed to aid the growth of muscle tissue, help avoid dehydration, and improve the digestion of dietary proteins. The dosage used for an adult 1,100lb horse is 5 mL (110 mg) every two weeks. Australia is a country with a robust veterinary drug market, known to carry a variety of unusual steroids and odd multi-component steroid blends. Drive is perhaps the most well-known of these products. Being that it is neither the most concentrated preparation nor the most effective, however, much of its popularity is likely due to its well-coined trade name and early sales history. Drive remains on the Australina market today although tight controls and its relatively low per-milliliter steroid concentration make diversion for athletic use much less common than it was many years ago.
How Supplied:
Drive is available on the Australian veterinary drug market It contains 55 mg/mL of steroid in oil in a 10 mL vial.
Structural Characteristics:
For a more comprehensive discussion of the individual steroids boldenone undecylenate and methandriol dipropionate, refer to their respective profiles.
Side Effects (Estrogenic):
Methylandrostendiol is not directly aromatized by the body, although one of its known metabolites is methyltestosterone, which can aromatize. Methlyandrostenediol is also believed to have some inherent estrogenic activity.1 Combined with boldenone, which also aromatizes, Drive is considered a moderately estrogenic steroid. Gynecomastia is possible during treatment, but generally only when higher doses are used. Water and fat retention can also become issues, again depending on dose. Sensitive individuals may need to add an anti-estrogen such as Nolvadex® to minimize related side effects.
Side Effects (Androgenic):
Although classified as an anabolic steroid preparation, 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 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.
Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):
Methylandrostenediol 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 lifethreatening 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. Injectable forms of the drug may present slightly less strain on the liver by avoiding the first pass metabolism of oral dosing, although may still present substantial hepatotoxicity.
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. Methylandrostenediol has a strong effect on the hepatic management of cholesterol due to its structural resistance to liver breakdown and (with the oral) route of administration. 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.
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. 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 (Men):
Drive has not been approved for use in humans. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. Typical dosing schedule for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes would be in the range of 220 mg (4mL) to 440 mg (8mL) per week, a level that should provide quality lean mass gain without strong bloating or body fat retention. Due to the high injection volume and fast-acting nature of methandriol dipropionate, the total weekly dosage is commonly divided into 2-3 smaller applications.
Administration (Women):
Drive has not been approved for use in humans. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. Drugs containing methylandrostenediol are generally not recommended for women for physique- or performanceenhancing purposes due to its androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects.
Availability:
Drive remains in production, though legitimate products are now rarely diverted to the black market given the heightened controls over anabolic steroids in Australia.
1 Inhibition of the estrogenic activity of methylandrostenediol following administration of aminopterin . Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 31(9-10) Sep-Oct (1955):1280-4.