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Research compound — not a dietary supplement
Drostanolone (Masteron) is a research compound, not a regulated dietary supplement. It is sold for research or off-label use. The evidence below is largely preclinical (animal and in-vitro) or early-stage, so no evidence score is assigned. This page is provided for transparency and education — it is not a recommendation to use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider, and be aware that purity, dosing, and legal status vary by jurisdiction.
What the evidence says
Most Drostanolone (Masteron) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality studies published 1975–1995.
Based on 6 studies
Confidence
LowBy outcome
Drostanolone (Masteron) has an evidence score of 3.1/10 — emerging evidence based on 6 indexed studies. An injectable DHT-derived anabolic-androgenic steroid (Masteron/Masteril) — chemically 2α-methyl-dihydrotestosterone propionate, so it is NON-AROMATIZABLE and behaves as a weak anti-estrogen. Its only real human evidence is historical and obsolete: in the 1960s-70s it was an approved palliative hormonal therapy for advanced/metastatic breast cancer (response rates roughly 35-45% in older comparative trials), where it was eventually displaced by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and withdrawn. There are NO modern human trials for the bodybuilding 'cutting'/'hardening' use it is now sought for — that use is entirely off-label and unsupported. As a 5α-reduced DHT derivative it drives androgenic harm (male-pattern hair loss, prostate stimulation, virilization in women), worsens lipids, and suppresses the HPTA. It is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance, NOT a dietary supplement and NOT a longevity drug. Informational, harm-reduction entry only — not a recommendation. Representative study: PMID 1242823.
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Ephedrine
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This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Drostanolone propionate (Masteron, Masteril) — 2α-methyl-DHT, an injectable DHT-derived anabolic-androgenic steroid; DEA Schedule III controlled substance
An injectable DHT-derived anabolic-androgenic steroid (Masteron/Masteril) — chemically 2α-methyl-dihydrotestosterone propionate, so it is NON-AROMATIZABLE and behaves as a weak anti-estrogen. Its only real human evidence is historical and obsolete: in the 1960s-70s it was an approved palliative hormonal therapy for advanced/metastatic breast cancer (response rates roughly 35-45% in older comparative trials), where it was eventually displaced by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and withdrawn. There are NO modern human trials for the bodybuilding 'cutting'/'hardening' use it is now sought for — that use is entirely off-label and unsupported. As a 5α-reduced DHT derivative it drives androgenic harm (male-pattern hair loss, prostate stimulation, virilization in women), worsens lipids, and suppresses the HPTA. It is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance, NOT a dietary supplement and NOT a longevity drug. Informational, harm-reduction entry only — not a recommendation.
Drostanolone's only real human evidence is historical and now obsolete: as a DHT-derived, non-aromatizable, anti-estrogenic androgen it was an approved 1960s-70s palliative hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer (objective response ~35-45% in older comparative trials), where it was generally less effective than estrogens and was later superseded by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and withdrawn as a medicine. Its modern bodybuilding 'cutting'/'hardening' use has NO supporting human performance or physique trials — it is entirely off-label, evidenced only by doping-control detections. As a 5α-reduced DHT derivative it drives androgenic harm (male-pattern hair loss, prostate stimulation, virilization), adverse lipids and HPTA suppression, and it is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance — not a dietary supplement or longevity drug. Old, thin, obsolete-indication evidence plus real harms and illicit status put it in the low range.
Drostanolone propionate (brand names Masteron and Masteril; older literature dromostanolone propionate, 2α-methyldihydrotestosterone propionate, NSC-12198) is an injectable 2α-methyl-5α-dihydrotestosterone — a DHT derivative rather than a testosterone derivative. Two structural facts define it.
First, the 2α-methyl group protects the 3-keto group from metabolism, giving it useful potency as an injectable androgen.
Second, because it is already 5α-reduced (a DHT analog), it is NON-AROMATIZABLE — it cannot be converted to estradiol — and in the breast it behaves as a weak anti-estrogen, which is exactly why it was originally developed as a hormonal cancer therapy.
That historical oncology use is the only place drostanolone has real human evidence, and it is old and thin. In the 1960s and 1970s drostanolone propionate was an approved palliative treatment for advanced/metastatic breast cancer in women, given as a DHT-class androgen that opposes estrogen-driven tumour growth.
Older comparative trials reported objective response rates in roughly the 35-45% range.
A South African trial (Bennett 1975) tested Masteril against oophorectomy in premenopausal women (44% vs 22% response), against nandrolone phenylpropionate perimenopausally (34.5% vs 39%), and against ethinyl estradiol in postmenopausal women (38.5% vs 57%) — concluding it was a 'useful and safe agent' but generally LESS effective than estrogens in postmenopausal disease.
A randomized comparison against nandrolone decanoate (Chowdhury 1976) placed it among the androgen options of the era.
Mechanistic work supports the anti-tumour signal: drostanolone (as MDTP) inhibited the growth of human MCF-7 breast-carcinoma cells in vitro (Fujita 1983) and induced complete regressions of carcinogen-induced rat mammary tumours, synergizing with 5-fluorouracil (Teller 1982).
But this entire indication is now OBSOLETE — androgen therapy for breast cancer was superseded by tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and modern endocrine therapy, which are more effective and far better tolerated, and drostanolone was discontinued as a medicine. The compound's modern life is illicit.
It is now sought almost exclusively for bodybuilding 'cutting' cycles — a claimed lean, 'hard', dry, anti-estrogenic look in already-lean physique athletes — and there are NO modern human performance, physique, or body-composition trials supporting any of that.
Doping-control surveillance confirms the use without endorsing the benefit: drostanolone was among the injectable steroids detected in competing bodybuilders in Flanders (Delbeke 1995), and its 2α-methyl-androsterone urinary metabolites are characterized for anti-doping detection (de Boer 1992).
The honest appraisal: a genuine, mechanistically-distinct DHT-derived, non-aromatizable, anti-estrogenic androgen whose ONLY validated human use is a now-obsolete breast-cancer palliative; whose physique use is entirely off-label and unsupported by trials; and which carries the androgenic harms of its class — DHT-mediated male-pattern hair loss and prostate stimulation (not blocked by 5α-reductase inhibitors, since it is already 5α-reduced), virilization that can be irreversible in women, an adverse lipid shift, and HPTA suppression.
It is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance and a WADA-prohibited doping agent — not a dietary supplement and not a longevity drug. This is a hormonal compound presented for harm-reduction information, not a recommendation.
Drostanolone is 2α-methyl-5α-dihydrotestosterone — a DHT derivative that is already 5α-reduced, so it cannot aromatize to estradiol. It signals through the androgen receptor (DHT-like), driving androgenic and modestly anabolic effects without adding to the estrogen pool.
Because it is a non-aromatizing DHT-class androgen, drostanolone opposes estrogen-driven proliferation in breast tissue — the mechanistic basis for its original (now obsolete) use as a hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer, and for the 'dry/anti-estrogen' feel sought in physique use.
The same DHT-receptor activity that gives the compound its anti-estrogenic and androgenic effects also drives male-pattern hair loss and prostate stimulation (not blunted by 5α-reductase inhibitors, since it is already 5α-reduced), virilization in women, an adverse HDL/LDL shift, and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.
How Drostanolone (Masteron) works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research
There is no legitimate supplement or current medical dose — drostanolone is no longer marketed as a medicine and is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance. This library does NOT provide a body-composition dosing protocol. For historical context only: in the obsolete breast-cancer indication, drostanolone propionate was given by intramuscular injection (commonly ~100 mg two to three times weekly). Illicit physique use is off-label, unsupervised, and unsupported by any trial. That is not an endorsement of self-administration.
Can be taken without food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Injectable drostanolone propionate (historically Masteron / Masteril) — an obsolete oncology product; no current approved form exists | Recommended |
There is no legitimate over-the-counter or supplement form. It is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance; the historical breast-cancer indication was superseded by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, and non-prescription material is illegal to possess and frequently counterfeit.
Minimum: 4 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: No non-medical timing is endorsed. It is a controlled-substance anabolic-androgenic steroid with no current medical use, documented androgenic harm, an adverse lipid shift and HPTA suppression. This library does not schedule its use.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Drostanolone (Masteron) does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
The only validated human use: in the 1960s-70s drostanolone propionate was an approved palliative hormonal therapy for advanced/metastatic breast cancer, with objective response rates ~35-45% in older comparative trials. This indication is obsolete — superseded by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors and discontinued as a medicine.
The modern reason it is sought — a lean, 'hard', 'dry' anti-estrogenic look in already-lean bodybuilders — has NO supporting human performance, physique, or body-composition trials. The use is entirely off-label, evidenced only by doping-control detections in competing bodybuilders.
As a potent DHT derivative it can accelerate male-pattern hair loss, cause acne/oily skin, and stimulate the prostate — effects that 5α-reductase inhibitors (finasteride) do NOT prevent because it is already 5α-reduced. In women it causes virilization (deepened voice, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement) that can be irreversible.
Like other anabolic-androgenic steroids it worsens the lipid profile (lower HDL, higher LDL) and suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (LH, FSH, endogenous testosterone), with no offsetting proven cardiovascular benefit.
Drostanolone is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance and a WADA-prohibited doping agent — not a dietary supplement and not a longevity drug. Non-medical possession/use without a prescription is illegal, and there is no legitimate medical product on the market today.
Avoid — a controlled-substance anabolic-androgenic steroid with NO supporting human performance or physique trials, documented androgenic harm, adverse lipids and HPTA suppression, and illegal to use without a prescription.
Avoid entirely — a potent DHT-class androgen whose virilizing effects (voice deepening, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement) can be permanent.
Do not seek drostanolone — its historical androgen-therapy role is obsolete and was superseded by tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, which are more effective and far better tolerated. Follow current oncology guidance.
Contraindicated — androgenic; causes virilization of a female fetus.
Stacking androgenic agents (the common bodybuilding pattern) compounds androgenic load, the adverse lipid shift and HPTA suppression; the combined risk is additive and uncharacterised in non-medical use.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids can potentiate warfarin and increase bleeding risk; INR should be monitored if these are ever combined under medical care.
Tip: DHT-mediated androgenic effects; not blocked by finasteride because the compound is already 5α-reduced. Discontinue if scalp hair loss is a concern.
Tip: Deepened voice, hirsutism, and clitoral enlargement can be permanent. Women should avoid the compound; discontinue at the first androgenic sign.
Tip: Androgens stimulate prostate tissue; avoid with prostate cancer or significant BPH and screen prostate health.
Tip: Like other AAS, worsens the lipid profile and suppresses LH/FSH and endogenous testosterone. There is no safe self-monitoring framework for non-medical use.
The commonly studied dose of Drostanolone (Masteron) is There is no legitimate supplement or current medical dose — drostanolone is no longer marketed as a medicine and is a DEA Schedule III controlled substance. This library does NOT provide a body-composition dosing protocol. For historical context only: in the obsolete breast-cancer indication, drostanolone propionate was given by intramuscular injection (commonly ~100 mg two to three times weekly). Illicit physique use is off-label, unsupervised, and unsupported by any trial. That is not an endorsement of self-administration.. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
Timing is flexible for Drostanolone (Masteron) — consistent daily use matters more than the time of day. An injectable androgen ester; historical oncology use was a few intramuscular injections per week.
Drostanolone (Masteron) should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. The most commonly reported side effects are accelerated male-pattern hair loss / acne / oily skin, virilization in women (irreversible), prostate stimulation / lower-urinary-tract effects. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Anyone seeking it for body composition or athletic performance — a DEA Schedule III controlled substance with no current medical use; possession/use without a prescription is illegal, and it is not a dietary supplement; Women, adolescents, and anyone wishing to avoid virilization — a potent DHT-class androgen with irreversible virilizing potential; Pre-existing male-pattern hair loss the user wants to avoid worsening (androgenic effects are not blocked by 5α-reductase inhibitors).
A sympathomimetic stimulant — the 'E' in the ECA (ephedrine/caffeine/aspirin) fat-loss stack. Ephedrine plus caffeine genuinely produces MODEST fat loss in 6-month RCTs (~0.9 kg/month more than placebo, ~3 kg over a controlled diet trial). But that is the whole upside: ephedra alkaloids were BANNED from US dietary supplements in 2004 after the FDA tied them to cardiovascular and psychiatric harms and deaths (the JAMA meta-analysis found a 2.2–3.6× increase in psychiatric/autonomic/GI symptoms and palpitations). Pharmaceutical ephedrine survives only as a restricted behind-the-counter decongestant/vasopressor. NOT a dietary supplement, NOT a longevity drug — a gated harm-reduction entry.
Drostanolone is already a 5α-reduced DHT derivative, so 5α-reductase inhibitors will NOT blunt its androgenic (e.g. hair-loss, prostate) effects the way they can with testosterone.