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.

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