Superdrol (Methasterone): The Ultimate Guide

Dr George TouliatosDisclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and does not promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultation.


Superdrol is the brand name for methasterone, an oral anabolic steroid that was first described in 1956 by Syntex, the same pharmaceutical company that formulated Anadrol 50 and Masteron.

Syntex was attempting to find an azo compound with anti-tumor properties (1).

In late 2004, Superdrol was sold by Designer Supplements LLC via the internet (2).

Superdrol was incorrectly marketed and sold as a prohormone in an attempt to bypass the Steroids Control Act of 1990.

Superdrol developed somewhat of a cult following due to its potent effects; it was able to build significant amounts of lean muscle without any water retention.

Superdrol was a fitting name for such a powerful over-the-counter product.

Matt Cahill, the owner of Designer Supplements, claimed the first batch of Superdrol sold out within 15 minutes of being available online, selling 2,200 bottles in total.

Designer Supplements later agreed to a licensing agreement with Anabolic Resources, allowing them to sell Superdrol in return for a lump sum plus royalties (totaling around $182,000).

However, in 2006, the FDA issued a warning, stating that Anabolic Resources‘ Superdrol contained an unapproved steroid compound (3), which was methasterone. Consequently, it was pulled from the market.

Superdrol Benefits

There is some debate as to how effective Superdrol really is.

This is due to it being sold on the black market, where products are often counterfeited or diluted.

However, our patients who have sourced real mesthasterone previously often describe it as one of the most potent anabolic steroids on the market (alongside Trenbolone).

Lean Muscle and Strength

Anecdotally, we have seen Superdrol add 15-20lbs of lean muscle via a cycle, as well as enhance strength to record levels.

Generally, bodybuilders won’t gain more than 20 pounds on Superdrol because those who take it are already advanced steroid users who’ve used many compounds before.

Thus, making huge gains with a new steroid is unrealistic, as most muscle and strength gains are experienced during the first few steroid cycles.

However, due to Superdrol’s sheer power, it is capable of taking a user’s gains to the next level (including advanced steroid users).

Some of our patients (bodybuilders and powerlifters) have suffered serious injuries when taking Superdrol due to strength levels increasing excessively in a short period of time. One user ripped his abdominal wall and developed a hernia while performing heavy tricep pushdowns on Superdrol, later needing emergency surgery (4).

Thus, it is possible to get too strong and too fast on Superdrol. Therefore, we encourage users to use caution and not lift as heavy as possible, reducing the likelihood of injury.

No Water Retention

Superdrol doesn’t aromatize and convert to estrogen, so virtually all weight gain will be in the form of lean muscle.

Therefore, a lean physique can continue to look aesthetic and ripped, contrary to other bulking steroids, which often compromise muscle definition (with extracellular fluid accumulating).

No Risk of Gyno

Superdrol does not cause high levels of estrogen or progesterone in our testing, so gynecomastia is not an issue with this oral steroid.

Huge Pumps

Superdrol is known for its incredible glycogen uptake inside the muscle cells, causing very full and pumped muscles. We see pumps in the gym often being intense, while a constant semi-pump is typically maintained outside of the gym.

Superdrol is arguably the most powerful steroid for pumps, which may be a downside for those susceptible to painful lower back pumps (when performing heavy deadlifts).

Superdrol Side Effects

Note: Superdrol is not suitable for beginners due to its high toxicity.

Cardiovascular

Our lipid profile tests have shown Superdrol to have dramatic effects on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, causing a sharp elevation in blood pressure via vasoconstriction.

Superdrol should be regarded as one of the most harmful steroids for blood pressure due to the following reasons:

Superdrol is an oral steroid; thus, it stimulates the hepatic lipase enzyme in the liver, causing great shifts in cholesterol.

Superdrol doesn’t convert to estrogen. Many bodybuilders view this as a positive because it means they won’t experience water retention or gynecomastia. However, we find that high estrogen has advantages in regard to controlling cholesterol and combating hypertension.

Liver Toxicity

The main issue we have faced with Superdrol is liver toxicity, as it is a C-17 alpha-alkylated steroid.

Superdrol is also methylated, so the compound is effectively broken down twice, which is like dropping a bomb on the liver.

One user, Jareem Gunter, experienced liver failure after just weeks of using Superdrol. Doctors warned that he would need a liver transplant or he would die.

In one study, a man developed jaundice from taking 2 tablets of Superdrol a day for 50 days (5).

Superdrol is dosed at 10mg per tablet; thus, he took 20 mg per day for 50 days.

This is a lengthy cycle for any toxic oral steroid. The most worrying factor about this man’s experience is that he didn’t have any pre-existing health problems before taking Superdrol.

Thus, if someone were to take Superdrol, it would be wise to supplement with 500 mg of TUDCA per day throughout the cycle. We find this natural bile acid offers maximum protection to the liver. However, avoiding Superdrol altogether would be the safest option.

Androgenic

Superdrol has an androgenic rating of just 20, which is very low for such a potent muscle-builder.

However, this score doesn’t translate in real-life practice, with Superdrol’s effects being very androgenic in our experience.

Thus, male pattern baldness, prostate enlargement, and acne are common interactions.

Women will almost certainly experience virilization effects should they choose to use Superdrol.

Testosterone Suppression

We have found Superdrol to have a powerful, negative effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, effectively causing ASIH (anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism).

This is essentially the shutting down of natural testosterone levels, which typically takes several weeks or months to recover to normal levels.

An aggressive PCT has been effective in restoring normal endogenous testosterone production in our patients.

Until testosterone levels bounce back, users should refrain from using any other steroids, which will exacerbate this shutting-down effect.

Dr. Thomas O’Connor has reported that several of his patients suffered from “severe depression” via Superdrol (6). We attribute this to the potency and dramatic lowering effect of endogenous testosterone, which is crucial for well-being.

Superdrol Cycle

Bodybuilders typically take anywhere from 10–20 mg of Superdrol a day, lasting 4-6 weeks. Some advanced bodybuilders go as high as 30 or 40mg, but this is really playing Russian roulette with your health.

Because of its devastating effects on the liver, a 4-week Superdrol cycle is sufficient for most bodybuilders.

superdrol cycle

Superdrol dosages should be spaced out throughout the day, as Superdrol is very fast-acting. Thus, to maintain steady levels of serum testosterone, users may take 10mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening.

We find that taking a full day’s dose in one sitting is likely to cause fewer gains and harsher side effects, as testosterone levels will become less stable (with peaks and troughs).

Important: Strictly no alcohol, supplements, or medications that compromise the liver should be administered while taking Superdrol.

500 mg/day of TUDCA should be taken to decrease liver damage, as well as 4 g/day of fish oil to minimize large spikes in blood pressure.

Superdrol should not be stacked with other steroids due to its high toxicity. Anadrol, Winstrol, Dianabol, and other hepatotoxic steroids should definitely be avoided due to their hepatotoxic effects.

Superdrol Review

Below is a video review from Dan in Thailand, describing how Superdrol affected him and his results.

Dan has taken many steroids before and was diligent with his Superdrol cycle, keeping the dose to 20 mg/day and not cycling it for more than 3 weeks. However, this was still enough time to see a dramatic effect on his physique and in the gym, gaining 20–30 pounds on his lifts.

Superdrol Before & After Pictures

These pictures were found via bodybuilding forums by users who have taken Anadrol.

before after superdrol

This user cycled Superdrol for 4 weeks, taking 30 mg/day for week 1 and 40 mg/day for weeks 2-4.

He reported gaining 22 lbs while bulking and eating in a calorie surplus.

His body fat percentage has only increased slightly.

These are impressive gains, considering a steroid user will struggle to grow much after his or her first few cycles. Superdrol is rarely ever taken by a beginner, yet it still has the power to take muscular size and strength to new levels.

This user took Superdrol for a month and mentioned he was cutting on it.

As you can see, his back thickness has improved significantly despite eating in a calorie deficit.

Eating maintenance or surplus calories is optimal for maximum muscle or strength gains on Superdrol; however, his results were impressive.

The user mentioned gaining 10 lbs, which perhaps may be closer to 15 lbs of lean muscle when accounting for a month’s worth of fat loss.

He also mentioned making the majority of his gains during the 3rd and 4th weeks of his cycle.

FAQ

Superdrol vs Anadrol

Superdrol and Anadrol are somewhat similar, with both of them being very powerful and toxic oral steroids.

Superdrol mg per mg is a lot stronger, hence why only 10–20 mg is needed for great results. In comparison, a typical Anadrol dose is 50–100 mg.

The main difference between the two steroids is that Superdrol is not estrogenic, so you won’t have any gynecomastia or water retention concerns. Whereas on Anadrol, water retention is almost certain and gynecomastia is possible (7, 8).

Both of these steroids should only be taken by advanced bodybuilders due to their drastic effects on the liver and heart. They should never be taken together.

Superdrol vs Dianabol

Superdrol and Dianabol are also fairly similar, with both being powerful muscle- and strength-builders. They are also both oral steroids.

However, the main difference between Superdrol and Dianabol is their estrogenic and androgenic side effects.

Dianabol aromatizes, and thus our patients can experience water retention and potentially gynecomastia (whereas Superdrol doesn’t cause this).

Dianabol is not particularly androgenic (9), whereas Superdrol is in practice.

Thus, we see Superdrol causing more incidents of hair loss, acne, and prostate enlargement.

Can You Use Superdrol as a First Cycle?

Beginners should strictly avoid Superdrol due to its high toxicity. It should be the last compound a novice should think of taking.

There’s also no reason why a beginner would want to take Superdrol, as a testosterone cycle is a much safer protocol and very capable of producing exceptional muscle and strength gains.

Taking Superdrol as a first cycle would be the equivalent of diving straight into the deep end when learning how to swim.

However, we have seen a beginner take a very low dose of Superdrol and remain unscathed (5mg per day). Such low doses are not commonly taken among bodybuilders, so it’s uncertain if beginners will experience positive results on 5 mg/day of Superdrol, compared to 350 mg/week of testosterone.

Can You Use Superdrol for Cutting?

Superdrol can be an effective steroid when cutting. Its effects are androgenic in practice; thus, when combined with a calorie deficit, users can expect enhanced fat loss.

Its ability to cause huge and full muscles (due to additional glycogen) is why some bodybuilders take it briefly before a contest.

However, a question users should ask is:

Is taking Superdrol for several weeks optimal when cutting?

The answer most likely is no.

Users’ results when cutting will largely be dictated by their diet and workouts. Powerful steroids may create a dryer appearance and speed up fat loss somewhat. However, the results are unlikely to be worth it, based on the strain we see Superdrol causing the body.

A wiser compound to utilize when cutting would be Anavar, as its side effects are very mild compared to Superdrol. Also, Anavar is very capable of stripping fat and adding lean mass when in a calorie deficit.

Summary: Pros and Cons

superdrol
Superdrol is one of the most powerful anabolic steroids we have ever come across; thus, its effects on muscle mass and strength are immense.

It is perhaps the best steroid for transforming a person’s physique quickly, with a short half-life of 8–12 hours. Thus, results can be experienced in the early stages of a cycle.

The main drawback to Superdrol is its highly toxic nature, especially on the liver and heart.

It is one of the highest-risk steroids a bodybuilder can take, based on our tests, so extreme caution should be exercised if someone were to use this compound.

Caution: It is generally a bad idea to stack Superdrol with other compounds; conservative doses should be taken and cycles should be kept short.

Co Authors :

(1) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo01117a625

(2) https://www.consumerlab.com/recalls/10511/safety-of-certain-weight-loss-and-bodybuilding-supplements-called-into-question/

(3) https://www.consumerlab.com/recalls/10108/fda-warns-about-steroid-products-sold-as-dietary-supplements/

(4) https://anabolictv.com/2018/11/superdrol-increasing-strength/#0

(5) https://www.scribd.com/document/266340204/Severe-Cholestasis-and-Renal-Failure-Associated-with-the-Use-of-the-Designer-Steroid-Superdrol-Methasteron-A-Case-Report-and-Literature-Review

(6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yasTxAe1Ek&t=132s

(7) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/oxymetholone

(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7739101/

(9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1953186/?page=2