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Drostanolone New-And-Improved.png
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(2R,5S,8R,9S,10S,13S,14S,17S)-17-hydroxy- 2,10,13-trimethyl-1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17- tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one
Legal status
Legal status
CAS Number 58-19-5 YesY
ATC code none
PubChem CID 6011
ChemSpider 5789
Chemical data
Formula C20H32O2
Molar mass 304.46 g/mol
 NYesY (what is this?)  (verify)

Drostanolone (INN) (brand names Drolban, Methalone), also known as masterone and dromostanolone,[1] is an anabolic steroid.[2] Drostanolone is a part of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) family. Its main medical uses include lowering cholesterol levels and as an antineoplastic agent [3] in the treatment of some cancers.[4] It is most commonly marketed as the ester drostanolone propionate (trade name Masteron).[5][6]

Drostanolone binds to a receptor and activates a cascade of genetic changes, which increases the protein synthesis (anabolism) and decreases the amino acids degradation (catabolism). Other effects of Drostanolone are reduction or inhibition of prolactin or estrogen receptors, which are linked to its antitumor properties.[7]


Breast cancer[edit]

Hormonal treatment is part of the complex therapy for some kind of tumors, particularly the ones associated with hormone-active tissues like breast or prostate cancer. Some types of breast cancer cells, expressing estrogen receptors (called ER+ cancers), use estrogen for their growth and dissemination. That is why drugs that block estrogen receptors or decrease their expression on the cell membrane- anti-estrogens- could limit the tumor spread and size. Drostanolone has been FDA approved[8] as an anti-estrogenic drug for the treatment of breast cancer. By the time of its release, there were not many alternatives for patients suffering from breast cancer and Drostanolone was a revolution for these patients. As it has lower androgenic rate compared to testosterone, the risk of virilization is much lighter. Due to this fact, women, who usually do not respond well to any anabolic steroids, were having much greater chance to survive cancer. Drostanolone can also be used for breast tumors that do not respond well to other treatments or also as palliative care for advanced incurable tumors. The effects of the product depend of course on the dose and period of administration. The risk of virilization becomes greater with high doses and continuous administration period.


With the development of more precise treatment approaches, Drostanolone as an antitumor agent is being replaced by medicaments with lower virilization risk and reduced side effects. However, Drostanolone remains popular amongst bodybuilders,[citation needed] especially during cutting cycles, when fat loss is the main target. It should be emphasized that Drostanolone would be only effective if the low body fat percentage (< 10%) is already being achieved. If this is the case, Drostanolone will not only help with the last stubborn fat but will also improve the physique, making it appear harder and leaner by underlining muscle separation. That is why Drostanolone is also being used before contests. These effects of Drostanolone are due to its impossibility to aromatize and therefore to the lack of high estrogen levels following its administration.[9]

Many bodybuilders combine Drostanolone with other anabolic steroids.[citation needed] Drostanolone itself has a weak mass gain effect, which is why it cannot be used alone during bulking cycles. On the other side when combined with other anabolic steroids, Drostanolone can enhance their effects. The reason is that in the first place, Drostanolone as anti-estrogen eliminates part of the side effects of other anabolic steroids, linked to their in body transformation in estrogen. Secondly, Drostanolone has the ability to bind to a protein named Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).This protein can bind with steroids like testosterone and inactivate them. When Drostanolone interacts with SHBS, the free fraction of the other steroids used raises, so does their biological effect.

In addition, Drostanolone is also suitable for those following calories restricted regime as it increases strength, reduces recovery periods and improves endurance without weight gain.

Side effects[edit]

As Drostanolone does not aromatize at any dose, typical estrogen-linked side effects, occurring when using anabolic steroids, are not observed. This means that water retention, gynecomastia, and high blood pressure would not be concerns.

On the other side, androgenic effects such as accelerated hair loss and acne can appear. In women, when used in high doses, Drostanolone can cause virilization. Concerning fat metabolism, Drostanolone can cause a decrease in HDL cholesterol and increase in LDL cholesterol. As Drostanolone also decreases natural testosterone production, additional testosterone therapy should be considered.[10]


  1. ^ "Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations". www.accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 
  2. ^ "SAFS | forendex | Drostanolone propionate". forendex.southernforensic.org. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 
  3. ^ Gauthier, Julie; Goudreault, Danielle; Poirier, Donald; Ayotte, Christiane (2009-03-01). "Identification of drostanolone and 17-methyldrostanolone metabolites produced by cryopreserved human hepatocytes". Steroids. 74 (3): 306–314. doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2008.11.002. ISSN 0039-128X. PMID 19056412. 
  4. ^ Bennett, MB; Helman, P; Palmer, P (1975). "Hormonal therapy of breast cancer with special reference to Masteril therapy". S. Afr. Med. J. 49: 2036–40. PMID 1242823. 
  5. ^ Pubchem. "drostanolone propionate | C23H36O3 - PubChem". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 
  6. ^ "dromostanolone propionate - MeSH - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 
  7. ^ "Drostanolone (PIM 901)". www.inchem.org. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 
  9. ^ "DB00858 - 'Drostanolone'". www.ebi.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-15. 

Further reading[edit]

  • Ringold, H. J.; Batres, E.; Halpern, O.; Necoechea, E.; J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1959, 81, 427.