Libriol (nandrolone/methandriol blend)

Description:

Libriol is an Australian injectable veterinary steroid preparation that contains a blend of methandriol dipropionate and nandrolone phenylpropionate. The two steroids are present in a dose of 45 mg/mL and 30 mg/mL respectively. This adds up to a total steroid concentration of 75 mg/mL. As a blend of methandriol and nandrolone, Libriol can be categorized as a moderately strong anabolic steroid with mild androgenic properties. It is also mildly estrogenic, owing to its methandriol content. This preparation can essentially be viewed as a fast-acting version of Ranvet’s Tribolin. Although not widely available, this product is an effective musclebuilding drug, which generally produces lean gains as opposed to strong mass increases.

History:

Libriol is a product of RWR Veterinary Products (formerly a subsidiary of Nature Vet), sold only on the Australian veterinary drug market. It is used exclusively for horses, generally racehorses that need rehabilitation or improvements in general health and performance. The drug combination is prescribed to increase lean muscularity of the animal, help maintain proper fluid levels and avoid dehydration, and to improve the digestion and assimilation of proteins from feed. For a horse weighing approximately 1,100 pounds (500kg), a dosage of 5 mL (350 mg) is generally administered once every 2 weeks. As a ‘pre-stacked’ steroid preparation, this steroid has piqued a great deal of interest among bodybuilders historically, and at one time would fetch a fairly high price on the black market due to the uniqueness of its formulation.

Libriol has been on the Australian market for many years, and remains available today in spite of the growing publicity paid to sports doping and the declining interest of legitimate companies to market these drugs. It is of note that RWR discontinued use of the long-standing Libriol trade name in 2005, however, registering a new trade name for the product, RWR 4 Fillies.

The same nandrolone/methandriol formulation thus remains available on the Australian market, for those veterinarians that have come to rely on Libriol as an effective anabolic/tonic aid. Due to tight government controls, it is unlikely that much volume of the new RWR 4 Fillies product will be diverted for athletic use. Given the low permilliliter steroid concentration and diverse competition of today’s market, this product is additionally much less desirable than it used to be.

How Supplied:

Libriol is available on the Australian veterinary drug market, sold presently under the trade name RWR 4 Fillies. It contains 75 mg/mL of steroid in oil in a 10 mL vial.

Structural Characteristics:

For a more comprehensive discussion of the individual steroids nandrolone phenylpropionate 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 nandrolone, which also weakly aromatizes, Libriol is considered a weakly to 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 addition 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. C17alpha 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.

The use of a liver detoxification supplement such as Liver Stabil, Liv-52, or Essentiale Forte is advised while taking any hepatotoxic anabolic/androgenic steroids.

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 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):

Libriol 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 225 mg (3cc’s) to 450 mg (6cc’s) per week, a level that should provide quality lean mass gain without bloating or significant body fat retention. Due to the fast-acting nature of the esters used, the total weekly dosage is commonly divided into 2-3 smaller applications.

Administration (Women):

Libriol has not been approved for use in humans. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. Drugs containing methylandrostenediol are generally not recommended for women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes due to its androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects.

Availability:

Libriol (RWR 4 Fillies) is not widely available on the black market due to strict controls over steroid distribution channels in Australia.

1 Inhibition of the estrogenic activity of methylandrostenediol following administration of aminopterin. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1955 SepOct;31(910):1280-4.