Anabolic steroidAndrogenOralDihydrotestosterone derivative1-methylated

Methenolone Acetate (Oral Primobolan)

Also known as Primobolan · Oral Primo · Methenolone acetate tablet

Written by enwyReviewed 5 Aug 20261 sources0 comments

This entry covers the oral acetate tablet form of methenolone, a 1-methylated dihydrotestosterone derivative marketed as Primobolan. Unusually for an oral steroid it is not 17-alpha-alkylated, relying instead on 1-methylation for partial oral activity, which makes it comparatively mild on the liver but poorly bioavailable and expensive.

01 Overview

Oral methenolone acetate (Primobolan tablets) provides a non-aromatising, mildly anabolic androgen prized for lean, dry gains and a favourable side-effect profile. Because it lacks C17-alpha alkylation, hepatic strain is low, but oral bioavailability is limited and much of a dose is lost to first-pass metabolism, so effective oral dosing is relatively high.

Clinically, methenolone has been used for anaemia and to preserve lean mass in debilitated and paediatric patients. In physique use the oral form is popular for cutting phases where minimal water retention is desired.

02 Mechanism

Androgen-receptor agonist; a 1-methyl-5-alpha DHT derivative that resists aromatisation. Oral activity derives from 1-methylation rather than 17-alkylation, giving lower hepatic burden but modest bioavailability.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Clinical	25–50 mg/day	Oral	Older clinical use for anaemia and wasting.
Physique	50–100 mg/day	Oral	High relative dose owing to low oral bioavailability.

Ester comparison

Ester	Half-life	Injection freq.	Testosterone by mass

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Lean mass preservationMaintains lean tissue with little water retention, favoured in cutting phases.	modest	Observational
Mild anabolic effectDocumented anabolic use in anaemia and debilitated patients.	small	Clinical
No aromatisationDoes not convert to estrogen, avoiding related side effects.	estrogen-neutral	Preclinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
HPTA suppressionSuppression of endogenous testosterone, generally milder than potent orals.	Moderate	Expected	Clinical
Adverse lipid changesHDL reduction as with other oral androgens.	Moderate	Dose-related	Observational

06 Legal status

United Kingdom

Class C

Prescription-only. · as of Jan 2026

United States

Schedule III controlled substance

Anabolic Steroid Control Act. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Methenolone in the treatment of aplastic anaemia and wastingActa Haematologica (historical clinical studies)

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.