Methasterone (Superdrol)
Methasterone ('Superdrol') is a 17α-methylated DHT-derived steroid (2α,17α-dimethyl) that emerged as a 'prohormone'/designer steroid sold over the counter in the 2000s before being scheduled. It delivers rapid, dry strength and lean mass, but is notably hepatotoxic with multiple documented cases of severe cholestatic liver injury even at label doses.
01 Overview
Methasterone was marketed as a legal supplement in the United States in the mid-2000s until case reports of serious liver injury and subsequent legislation (the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act) closed the loophole. It is essentially a strongly anabolic, non-aromatising oral.
Users report fast, dry gains in strength and lean mass with no water retention, comparable in effect to injectable compounds. The trade-off is pronounced hepatotoxicity, lethargy, appetite loss and strongly negative lipid effects; published cases describe cholestatic jaundice and marked transaminase elevations following recreational supplement-style use.
02 Mechanism
Androgen-receptor agonist derived from DHT with 2α- and 17α-methyl groups that resist enzymatic breakdown and prevent aromatisation, giving high oral potency.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 10 mg/day | Oral | Entry dose; effects already noticeable. |
| Common | 10–20 mg/day | Oral | Typical range; higher end sharply increases toxicity. |
| Heavy | 20–30 mg/day | Oral | High risk; strong hepatic and lipid strain. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid dry strength gainsFast strength and lean-mass increases without water retention. | Anecdotal | ||
| Increased lean massNotable lean gains at low milligram doses. | +3-5 kg reported | Anecdotal | |
| Lethargy and appetite lossFatigue and reduced appetite are frequently reported during use. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adverse lipid changesStrong HDL suppression and raised blood pressure. | Moderate | Very common | Observational | |
| Severe hepatotoxicityMultiple published case reports of cholestatic liver injury and jaundice, sometimes at label doses over a few weeks. | Severe | Common | Clinical | |
| HPTA suppressionMarked suppression of endogenous testosterone. | Severe | Universal | Observational |
06 Commonly used with
What methasterone is combined with, and why. This is about intent rather than safety — the interactions table below covers what is dangerous. Nothing here is listed without what it costs.
| Compound | Frequency | Purpose & trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Stacked compounds | ||
| Testosterone enanthatekickstart | Methasterone is used as a short, potent kickstart to a longer testosterone cycle, delivering fast dry strength and size in the first few weeks.Trade-off: It is one of the most hepatotoxic orals and crushes lipids hard, so its use is kept brief and is unsuitable for extended runs. | |
| Support & ancillaries | ||
| TestosteroneTRT/base dose | Superdrol is potently suppressive and non-aromatising, so a testosterone base is run to maintain normal androgen levels and prevent low-testosterone symptoms.Trade-off: The testosterone base aromatises and can add water, and it lengthens overall suppression and recovery beyond the short oral phase. | |
| TUDCAliver support | Considered essentially mandatory with methasterone given its heavy hepatotoxicity as a methylated oral.Trade-off: Even with support, liver enzymes commonly rise significantly, and TUDCA does nothing for the severe negative impact on cholesterol. | |
| Post-cycle | ||
| TamoxifenPCT | Used after cycle to restart the HPTA suppressed by methasterone and the testosterone base.Trade-off: SERM recovery is slow, and tamoxifen adds its own lipid burden on top of the marked cholesterol damage this oral already causes. | |