Nandrolone Phenylpropionate (NPP)
Nandrolone base +
phenylpropionate ester (or Decanoate or Cypionate ester, respectively)
Formula (base): C18 H26 O2
Formula (ester): C9 H10 O2
Molecular Weight(base):274.4022
Melting Point (base): 122-124C
Manufacturer: RWR
Effective Dose (Men): 200-600mgs/week (2mg/lb
of Bodyweight)
Effective Dose (Women): 50-100mgs/week
Active life: 15 days
Detection Time: Up to 18 months
Anabolic/Androgenic ratio: 125:37
Nandrolone Phenylpropionate, also known as “NPP” is very
similar to the very popular steroid “Deca” which is Nandrolone with a longer
ester (Decanoate). Nandrolone Phenylpropionate is, therefore, a shorter acting
“Deca” for all practical intents and purposes. Anecdotally, it seems to produce
less water retention than its longer acting cousin, and this would be very
consistent with injectable testosterones, where we find that shorter esters
provide much less water retention.
It’s a progestin, like any Nandrolone derivative, and is made by removing the carbon
atom at the 19th position of the Steran Nucleus of testosterone. However,
although it’s a progestin, Nandrolone (regardless of ester) doesn’t produce
much of what we could properly call estrogenic side effects. Any side effects
from Nandrolone Phenylpropionate would therefore more properly be termed
progestenic in nature- as it only converts to estrogen at roughly 20% the rate
of testosterone.
Regardless of ester, and water retention not withstanding, we find that all of
the characteristics of found in one type of Nandrolone are found in any other.
Nandrolone, probably owing to its progestenic nature has the ability to improve
collagen synthesis (1) as well as bone mineral content (2). Clearly this would
be a huge benefit to athletes with connective tissue problems or other joint
issues, although drug-tested athletes need to avoid Nandrolones because of
their detectability in urine for a year to eighteen months after
administration. Also, since it is progestin (with slight estrogenic ability),
it probably has some very beneficial effects on the immune mediated
anti-inflammatory process, thereby soothing joints as well as helping to heal
them.
Nandrolone is one of the few steroids which has been used successfully in AIDS
patients to stimulate weight gain (3), and although athletes using NPP in lieu
of Deca find it to produce slightly less weight gain, this is probably a result
of gaining less water weight. Nandrolone Phenylpropionate, is a more popular
drug than Deca for use in cutting cycles recently, due to this fact.
This brings up the fact that although Deca has a very long active life, NPP has
a much shorter one, and this means that people are forced to inject at least
two times per week, with the more common protocol being every third day.
Results are seen much more quickly with NPP as compared with Deca, and it’s
quickly becoming a much more popular alternative.
Both supply as well as demand for NPP is high, because many underground labs
have recently been producing it in large quantities to keep up with the
increased demand. Although an effective weekly dose will be relatively
inexpensive, it will still cost more than Deca, owing to the injection
frequency that it necessitates. On the Black market, $75-100 is the
average price for a ten milliliter bottle, dosed at 100-200 mgs/ml.
A steroid derived from modifying the testosterone
molecule, Nandrolone is one of the most popular drugs in the world and with
good reason; it is a versatile steroid that can be used in "bulking"
or "cutting" cycles. Nandrolone has many benefits for athletes
coupled with an unbeaten safety record. It has an anabolic (muscle building)
rating of 125, making it an excellent drug for adding lean muscle. Neither is
it very androgenic (leading to the development of male characteristics), with
an androgenic ratio of only 37. Nandrolone aids the hardcore athlete in various
ways: it promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle cell (1), which in turn
promotes the muscle cell to synthesize and store more protein; it increases
levels of the highly anabolic hormone IGF-1 in muscle tissue (2); and it leads to a significant
increase in the amount of androgen receptors in muscle (3). Nandrolone has been
proven to improve endurance (4), increase the number of red blood cells (5) and
speed the rate of glycogen replenishment after strenuous physical activity (6).
One trait Steroid.com members love about nandrolone is its ability to reduce
joint pain and soreness (7)this is because the drug increases the rate of
collagen synthesis and increase bone mineral content (8)(9). Shown to be a good
drug for fat loss (10), nandrolone can reduce the amount of fat under the skin
and around the abdominal area (10). The amount lost, however, is dependant on
dose, with higher dosages having the greatest overall effect (11). Nandrolone
also has positive effects on the brain. It increases chemicals in the brain
that promote aggressive behavior, which can improve both speed and power (12).
Nandrolone aromatizes (convents to estrogen) slightly, but only at about 20%
the rate of testosterone, so estrogenic side effects such as breast tissue
growth in men (gynecomastia), fat gain and water retention are not major
issues. Steriod.com members who use nandrolone seldom complain of androgenic
side effects such as prostate enlargement, loss of hair and acne. Those who are
worried about their cardio vascular health can use nandrolone without fear;
studies have shown that it does not negatively affect cholesterol (13). The
ester of nandrolone contained in Libriol is the phenylpropionate ester, which
provides a rapid, high concentration of hormone in the blood steadily for up to
four days.
Nandrolone Phenylpropionate is a good drug, but it is not perfect. With its
chemical structure it acts directly on the receptor of the female sex hormone
progesterone with a binding rate of 20% of the actual hormone (14). Despite its
low aromatizing rate, this can lead to breast growth in gyno-prone individuals.
There is no need for panic though, because the drugs letrozole
(femera) or fulvestrant can easily combat this (15) reaction. Elevated
prolactin levels are also a side effect of nandrolone usage, but there are
readily available drugs like bromocriptine and cabergoline that activate the
dopamine receptor to lower prolactin levels (5). Shrunken balls (testicular
atrophy) may be a problem from elevated prolactin as well; HCG (female hormone that
acts like LH when introduced into the male body) used during the cycle can
possibly remedy or prevent the condition (16). Probably the worst effect
Nandrolone Phenylpropionate has is on natural testosterone production: a single
100mg dose of nandrolone causes complete nullification of testosterone levels,
which remained suppressed for a month before returning to normal (see chart).
This can cause impotence and loss of sex drive, better known as
the dreaded "Deca dick." The best solution to this problem is to always
use testosterone with nandrolone.
References:
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3. J Appl. Physiol.94 1153-61 2003
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5. Drug hand book. 2003
6. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2001 Aug; 48(6):343-52
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8. Metabolism. 1990 Nov;39(11):1167-9
9. Am J Ther. 1998 Mar;5(2):89-95.
10. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1995 Sep; 19(9):614-24.
11. Ann Nutr Metab. 1991; 35(3):141-7.
12. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Jan; 35(1):32-8.
13. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Dec; 283(6):E1214-2.
14. Cancer Res 1978 Nov; 38(11 Pt 2):4186-98
15. Curr Med Res Opin. 2001;16(4):276-84
16. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1988 Mar; 29(3):489-93.
17. Int J Immunopharmacol. 2000 Jan;22(1):1-14.
18. Endocrinology. 1994 Mar;134(3):1401-8.
19. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2003 Sep;86(3-5):423-32.
20. J Anim Sci. 1999 Dec;77(12):3133-9
21. Endocrinology. 1978 Jul;103(1):1-5.