Anabolic steroidAndrogenOral17-alpha-alkylatedDesigner steroidAnti-estrogen

Epistane (methylepitiostanol)

Also known as Epistane · Havoc · Epi · Methylepitiostanol · 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-etioallocholanol

Written by enwyReviewed 4 Aug 20262 sources0 comments

Epistane (methylepitiostanol) is a 17α-methylated designer steroid derived from epitiostanol, with anti-estrogenic and 'dry, hard' effects. Widely used as a lean-gain/recomp prohormone, it is hepatotoxic and suppressive, and has been linked to cholestatic liver injury case reports.

01 Overview

Epistane is the methylated oral form of epitiostanol, a Japanese anti-estrogen steroid. It combines mild anabolic activity with anti-estrogenic effects at the estrogen receptor, giving a reputation for hardening, vascularity, and recomposition rather than raw mass. It became one of the most popular prohormones of the 2008-2012 era.

As a 17-alpha-alkylated oral it is hepatotoxic, and there are published case reports of cholestatic liver injury and even one report of hypogonadism-associated depression following use. Efficacy data are anecdotal; the pharmacology is inferred from epitiostanol and from doping-control metabolite studies. It was captured under the 2014 US designer-steroid legislation and is banned in sport.

02 Mechanism

17α-methylated derivative of epitiostanol; acts as an androgen receptor agonist with anti-estrogenic activity, and does not aromatise.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Common (marketed)	20–40 mg/day	Oral	Historic labelled dosing over 4-6 week cycles; higher doses raised liver risk.

Ester comparison

Ester	Half-life	Injection freq.	Testosterone by mass

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Hardening and drynessAnti-estrogenic action gives a dry, hard, vascular look.	cosmetic	Anecdotal
Recomposition / lean gainModest lean gain with fat loss commonly reported.	modest	Anecdotal

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
HPTA suppression and low moodStrong suppression; a case report links post-use hypogonadism to depression.	Moderate	Near-universal	Anecdotal
Cholestatic liver injuryCase reports document cholestasis and jaundice after epistane use.	Severe	Uncommon	Observational

06 Legal status

United Kingdom

Class C

Anabolic steroid under the Misuse of Drugs Act. · as of Jan 2026

United States

Schedule III controlled

Named in the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Cholestatic liver injury associated with methylepitiostanol (epistane)Case reports, hepatology literature

Metabolism of methylepitiostanolDrug Testing and Analysis

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.