Equilon 100 (boldenone blend)

Description:

Equilon is an injectable steroid containing a blend of four boldenone esters. Specifically, each milliliter contains 10 mg of boldenone acetate, 30 mg of boldenone propionate, 40 mg of boldenone cypionate, and 20 mg of boldenone undecylenate. The total steroid concentration of the product is 100 mg/mL. As a boldenone product, Equilon provides a strong anabolic effect with only moderate androgenic and estrogenic activity. The main difference between Equilon and the more popular boldenone injectable Equipoise lies in the pharmacokinetics of the preparations. Serum levels of boldenone are likely to peak more quickly with Equilon due to the inclusion of short chain esters, even if only slightly. The time to peak release with Equipoise shouldn’t be more than several days, however, and it is highly likely that its release pattern would actually be more even over time compared to Equilon. Still, this item could essentially be considered a close counterpart of Equipoise, and for all intents and purposes could replace Equipoise milligram for milligram in most applications.

History:

Equilon is a product of WDV Pharma Co., Ltd, a veterinary steroid manufacturer based in Yangon, Myanmar. This is the same company that makes a seven-ester blend of testosterone called Equitest, which has garnered some attention in the athletic community due to its unusual nature. As with Equitest, the target species of this product is horses and cattle, though it is widely diverted for human use. It is indicated for the treatment of animals suffering from debilitating conditions, which may be aided by the lean-tissue preserving and anti-catabolic effects of anabolic steroids. The recommended dose is 1-3ml given to the animal every 10 days, as needed.

Equilon is the first multi-component boldenone product to be commercially developed, and in this regard it too stands out as a unique product.

The design of this preparation is supposed to be such that boldenone levels spike very quickly due to the acetate and propionate, the two ‘fast-acting” esters, but are sustained in a more even pattern due to their combination with ‘slow-acting’ esters cypionate and undecylenate. In reality, however, such slow/fast blends tend to be more a product of marketing than science, as even the supposed slowacting esters like cypionate and undecylenate produce their peak hormone release within a few days of injection at most. Regardless, products like this tend to have strong market value, so Equilon is likely to sit well with bodybuilders who have liked Equipoise in the past.

How Supplied:

Equilon is manufactured in Myanmar only. The product is supplied in a multi-dose glass vial (6ml), which contains an oily solution; each milliliter contains 10 mg of boldenone acetate, 30 mg of boldenone propionate, 40 mg of boldenone cypionate, and 20 mg of boldenone undecylenate.

Structural Characteristics:

Boldenone is a modified form of testosterone. It differs by the introduction of a double bond between carbons 1 and 2, which reduces its relative estrogenicity and androgenicity. Equilon contains boldenone modified with the addition of carboxylic acid esters (acetic, propionic, cyclopentylpropionic, and undecylenoic acids) at the 17beta hydroxyl group. Esterified steroids are less polar than free steroids, and are absorbed more slowly from the area of injection. Once in the bloodstream, the ester is removed to yield free (active) boldenone. Esterified steroids are designed to prolong the window of therapeutic effect following administration, allowing for a less frequent injection schedule compared to injections of free (unesterified) steroid. Equilon is designed to provide a peak release of boldenone approximately 24-48 hours after injection, and sustain hormone release for approximately 21-28 days.

Side Effects (Estrogenic):

Boldenone is aromatized in the body to estradiol (estrogen). Elevated estrogen levels can cause side effects such as increased water retention, body fat gain, and gynecomastia. Boldenone is considered a mildly estrogenic steroid. Aromatization studies suggest that its rate of conversion to estradiol is roughly half that of testosterone.1 The tendency to develop noticeable estrogenic side effects with boldenone should be slightly higher than nandrolone, but much lower than with testosterone. Estrogenic side effects are usually not pronounced unless this drug is taken in doses above 200-400 mg per week. An anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate might be used to help mitigate these side effects, should they become present. One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex® (anastrozole), although it is considerably more expensive, and may negatively effect blood lipids.

Side Effects (Androgenic):

Although classified as an anabolic steroid, androgenic side effects are still common with this substance, especially with higher doses. 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 also 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.

Note that while boldenone does reduce to a more potent androgen (dihydroboldenone) via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme in androgen-responsive target tissues such as the skin, scalp, and prostate, its affinity to do so in the human body is extremely low.2 The relative androgenicity of boldenone is, therefore, not significantly affected by finasteride or dutasteride.

Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):

Boldenone is not c-17 alpha alkylated, and not known to have hepatotoxic effects. Liver toxicity is unlikely.

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), and type of steroid (aromatizable or non-aromatizable), level of resistance to hepatic metabolism.

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. Boldenone is likely to have a less dramatic impact on cardiovascular risk factors than synthetic oral anabolic steroids. This is due in part to its openness to metabolism by the liver, which allows it to have less effect on the hepatic management of cholesterol. The aromatization of boldenone to estradiol may also help to mitigate the negative effects of androgens on serum lipids.

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 testosteronestimulating 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):

Although it stays active for a much longer time, Equilon is typically injected at least weekly for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes. It is most commonly used at a dosage of 200-400 mg (24ml) per week for 6-12 weeks. This level is sufficient to notice significant increases in strength and lean mass.

Administration (Women):

When used for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, women take much lower doses of boldenone than men. This would suggest typically 50-75 mg of Equilon per week. Women should take caution with the slow-acting characteristics of this preparation, which make blood levels difficult to control and slow to decline should virilization symptoms become present.

Availability:

Equilon is not widely distributed on the black market, mainly because it is only produced by one company and is not well known among the athletic community. It still can be located on occasion, however.

1 Biosynthesis of Estrogens, Gual C, Morato T, Hayano M, Gut M and Dorfman R. Endocrinology 71 (1962):920-25.

2 Metabolism of boldenone in man: gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric identification of urinary excreted metabolites and determination of excretion rates. Schanzer, Donike. Bol Mass Spec. 21 (1992):3-16.