Sterandryl Retard (testosterone hexahydrobenzoate)

Description:

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is an injectable ester of the primary male androgen testosterone. The hexahydrobenzoate ester used here is a short-acting one, maintaining steady blood levels of testosterone for only several days. It, therefore, requires a much more frequent injection schedule than testosterone enanthate or cypionate. Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is very similar to testosterone propionate in duration of effect, though perhaps slightly longer acting. For all intents and purposes, these two steroids could be used interchangeably. As with all testosterone injectables, testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is capable of promoting strong increases in muscle mass and strength.

History:

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is an ester of testosterone that was first closely studied in Europe during the mid-1950’s. It was subsequently sold as a prescription drug item during the 1960’s and ’70’s, most notably under the brand names of Sterandryl Retard (France) and Testormon Depositum (Portugal). Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate was used clinically to treat insufficient androgen levels in males, and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding), metrorrhagia (abnormal bleeding of the uterus), excessive lactation, and breast cancer in females. It was also used with both sexes to treat certain skin conditions (associated with itching), psychoneurosis, and asthenia (abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy). In spite of the numerous accepted medical uses for this drug, testosterone hexahydrobenzoate was ultimately only a minor testosterone ester in clinical medicine, and was withdrawn from the world market (as a standalone item) before the 1980’s. This ester can still be found as a constituent of Spectriol, an Australian veterinary steroid.

How Supplied:

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is no longer available as a standalone drug item. When available, it usually contained 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, or 125 mg/ml of steroid dissolved in oil. Packaging was generally as a 1 mL or 2 ml glass ampule.

Structural Characteristics:

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is a modified form of testosterone, where a carboxylic acid ester (hexahydrobenzoic acid, also known as cyclohexanecarboxylic acid) has been attached to the 17beta hydroxyl group. Esterified forms of testosterone are less polar than free testosterone, and are absorbed more slowly from the area of injection. Once in the bloodstream, the ester is removed to yield free (active) testosterone. Esterified forms of testosterone 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.

Side Effects (Estrogenic):

Testosterone is readily aromatized in the body to estradiol (estrogen). The aromatase (estrogen synthetase) enzyme is responsible for this metabolism of testosterone. Elevated estrogen levels can cause side effects such as increased water retention, body fat gain, and gynecomastia. Testosterone is considered a moderately estrogenic steroid. An anti-estrogen such as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate may be necessary to prevent estrogenic side effects. One may alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex® (anastrozole), which more efficiently controls estrogen by preventing its synthesis. Aromatase inhibitors can be quite expensive in comparison to antiestrogens, however, and may also have negative effects on blood lipids.

Side Effects (Androgenic):

Testosterone is the primary male androgen, responsible for maintaining secondary male sexual characteristics. Elevated levels of testosterone are likely to produce androgenic side effects including oily skin, acne, and body/facial hair growth. Men with a genetic predisposition for hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) may notice accelerated male pattern balding. Those concerned about hair loss may find a more comfortable option in nandrolone decanoate, which is a comparably less androgenic steroid. Women are warned of the potential virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids, especially with a strong androgen such as testosterone. These may include deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement.

In androgen-responsive target tissues such as the skin, scalp, and prostate, the high relative androgenicity of testosterone is dependant on its reduction to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The 5alpha reductase enzyme is responsible for this metabolism of testosterone. The concurrent use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as finasteride or dutasteride will interfere with site-specific potentiation of testosterone action, lowering the tendency of testosterone drugs to produce androgenic side effects. It is important to remember that anabolic and androgenic effects are both mediated via the cytosolic androgen receptor. Complete separation of testosterone’s anabolic and androgenic properties is not possible, even with total 5-alpha reductase inhibition.

Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):

Testosterone does not have hepatotoxic effects; liver toxicity is unlikely. One study examined the potential for hepatotoxicity with high doses of testosterone by administering 400 mg of the hormone per day (2,800 mg per week) to a group of male subjects. The steroid was taken orally so that higher peak concentrations would be reached in hepatic tissues compared to intramuscular injections. The hormone was given daily for 20 days, and produced no significant changes in liver enzyme values including serum albumin, bilirubin, alanine-aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatases.1

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. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely effect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.

Testosterone tends to have a much less dramatic impact on cardiovascular risk factors than synthetic 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 testosterone to estradiol also helps to mitigate the negative effects of androgens on serum lipids. In one study, 280 mg per week of testosterone ester (enanthate) had a slight but not statistically significant effect on HDL cholesterol after 12 weeks, but when taken with an aromatase inhibitor a strong (25%) decrease was seen.2 Studies using 300 mg of testosterone ester (enanthate) per week for 20 weeks without an aromatase inhibitor demonstrated only a 13% decrease in HDL cholesterol, while at 600 mg the reduction reached 21%.3 The negative impact of aromatase inhibition should be taken into consideration before such drug is added to testosterone therapy.

Due to the positive influence of estrogen on serum lipids, tamoxifen citrate or clomiphene citrate are preferred to aromatase inhibitors for those concerned with cardiovascular health, as they offer a partial estrogenic effect in the liver. This allows them to potentially improve lipid profiles and offset some of the negative effects of androgens. With doses of 600 mg or less per week, the impact on lipid profile tends to be noticeable but not dramatic, making an anti-estrogen (for cardioprotective purposes) perhaps unnecessary. Doses of 600 mg or less per week have also failed to produce statistically significant changes in LDL/LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B/C-III, C-reactive protein, and insulin sensitivity, all indicating a relatively weak impact on cardiovascular risk factors.4 When used in moderate doses, injectable testosterone esters are usually considered to be the safest of all anabolic/androgenic steroids.

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. Testosterone is the primary male androgen, and offers strong negative feedback on endogenous testosterone production. Testosterone-based drugs will, likewise, have a strong effect on the hypothalamic regulation of natural steroid hormones. 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):

To treat androgen insufficiency, the prescribing guidelines for testosterone hexahydrobenzoate (Testormon Depot) called for a dosage of 25 mg given daily, or every second or third day. An effective dosage among male athletes would be in the range of 50100 mg three times per week, taken in cycles 6 to 12 weeks in length. This level is sufficient for most users to notice exceptional gains in muscle size and strength. Testosterone is usually incorporated into bulking phases of training, when added water retention will be of little consequence, the user more concerned with raw mass than definition. Testosterone is ultimately very versatile, and can be combined with many other anabolic/androgenic steroids to tailor the desired effect.

Administration (Women):

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate was used with women in clinical medicine when available, typically at a dosage of 5-25 mg given three times per week. The recommended applications for testosterone with females have been reduced in most areas of modern medicine, and this hormone is no longer widely used. Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is not recommended for women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes due to its strong androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects.

Availability:

Testosterone hexahydrobenzoate is no longer available as a commercial standalone drug product.

1 Enzyme induction by oral testosterone. Johnsen SG, Kampmann JP, Bennet EP, Jorgensen F. 1976 Clin Pharmacol Ther 20:233-237.

2 High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is not decreased if an aromatizable androgen is administered. Friedl K, Hannan C et al. Metabolism 39(1) 1990:69-74.

3 Testosterone dose-response relationships in healthy young men. Bhasin S, Woodhouse Let al. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 281: E117281, 2001.

4 The effects of varying doses of T on insulin sensitivity, plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and C-reactive protein in healthy young men. Singh A, Hsia S, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87: 136-43, 2002.