Testosterone Propionate description
Pharmacological properties
Testosterone propionate has a specific androgenic effect: it stimulates the development and function of the external genitalia, the prostate, the seminal vesicles and secondary male sexual characteristics (voice, hairline). It contributes to the formation of body structure and sexual behavior in men, increases libido and potency, stimulates spermatogenesis. Reduces LH and FSH production. Testosterone is an antagonist of female sex hormones – estrogen, it has an antitumor effect in breast tumors in women. It has an anabolic effect, which is manifested by stimulating protein synthesis, reducing fat storage, delaying potassium, phosphorus and sulfur needed for protein synthesis in the body, increasing calcium fixation in bones and increasing muscle mass . .
Testosterone propionate differs little in its properties from other types of testosterone, apart from the release rate and half-life. The structure of the drug does not really differ from the natural hormone produced in the human body and in most animal species. In this regard, testosterone is considered the safest steroid because everyone’s body is used to the effects of testosterone, albeit in smaller amounts.
Testosterone has moderate estrogenic activity and moderate affinity for the aromatase enzyme (responsible for converting testosterone to estrogen). Accordingly, a moderate degree of aromatization should be expected when using testosterone, unless an aromatase inhibitor (eg, Arimidex, Aromasin, or Letrozole) is used concomitantly to block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Testosterone is therefore preferably used as a muscle building agent, but can also be used in the “drying” and fat burning phases. Finally, the use of some type of testosterone is necessary during any cycle of anabolic steroids, at least to maintain the physiological function of testosterone in the body during a period when endogenous hormone production is suppressed or stopped due to steroid use. Testosterone also has a very strong anabolic effect and can be used on its own.
With adequate protein nutrition, it stimulates the production of erythropoietin. pharmacokinetics. After administration of i / m or s / c, it is gradually absorbed at the injection site. Circulating testosterone enters target organs where it is reduced to 5-α-dihydrotestosterone, which interacts with cell membrane receptors and enters the cell nucleus. Up to 98% of the drug in plasma is bound to proteins, mainly globulins. It is metabolized in the liver to inactive and inactive metabolites, which are excreted in the urine. Approximately 6% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the faeces.
Hints
Testosterone propionate replacement therapy in primary and secondary hypogonadism, eunuchoidism, impotence of endocrine origin, postcastric syndrome, male menopause, infertility due to reduced spermatogenesis, oligospermia, osteoporosis due to androgen deficiency, menopause menopause menopause painful tension in the mammary glands, endometriosis , uterine fibroids.
Contraindications
Individual drug intolerance, prostate or breast cancer in men, history of liver tumors, severe hepatic impairment, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, untreated congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease.
Special instructions
Like all oil solutions, testosterone propionate is administered intramuscularly. Care must be taken to ensure that the substance to be injected does not get into the container. A very slow administration of the solution can prevent short-term reactions that are sometimes observed during or immediately after the injection of the oil solution (cough, coughing fits, respiratory depression). Use with caution in patients with heart failure, hypertension, epilepsy, migraine, renal dysfunction. In patients with a history of cardiac, renal or hepatic dysfunction, androgen use may result in edema complications with or without congestive heart failure.
Caution should be exercised when using the drug in patients with diseases that cause fluid retention and edema. Caution in patients with porphyria. Liver and kidney function, thyroid function and blood sugar levels should be monitored during treatment. Prostate cancer should be ruled out in men before starting treatment, since androgens increase the risk of prostatic hyperplasia while taking the drug. For prevention, it is advisable to have regular prostate examinations. In addition to laboratory measurements of testosterone levels, the following laboratory parameters should be monitored in patients taking androgens for a long period of time: hemoglobin level, hematocrit (first every 3 months, then once a year) and liver function tests. Because of the potential for thrombosis, the product should be prescribed with caution to men who have had recent surgery or injury.
There is a consensus among athletes and bodybuilders that testosterone propionate is the best testosterone option for use in the “drying” and fat burning phases. Many claim to retain less fluid in the body than other esterified forms of testosterone. Such claims are not substantiated by any scientific argument. As already explained, the propionate ester (or any other ester associated with testosterone) is always cleaved by enzymes in the body, leaving 100% pure testosterone. This identical natural hormone, testosterone, can function freely in the body, and this is true for all esterified forms of the hormone. Thus, the only possible change associated with the addition of ether concerns the half-life and the release rate. Obviously, when using different forms of testosterone, there should be no other differences or they will be minimal, because only the amount of hormone released into the bloodstream at a given time depends on the ester attached.
When using the drug in high doses or for a long time, the side effects described in the relevant section may occur. In this case, the drug should be discontinued and continued at lower doses after the disappearance of androgen-dependent side effects. If necessary, carry out symptomatic treatment. Overdose of the drug can lead to menstrual cessation.
