Short answer: Methandrostenolone (Dianabol, 'D-bol') is an oral anabolic steroid developed in the 1950s that was the first widely misused steroid in sport. It is no longer marketed in the US and is a Schedule III controlled substance. It causes rapid weight gain but strains the liver and raises blood pressure.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Methandrostenolone is an oral anabolic-androgenic steroid and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: None (not marketed in the US).
- Timing: effects start in days to weeks and last daily dosing (short half-life).
- Most dangerous mix: Alcohol and acetaminophen in high doses, which can cause more liver damage (oral steroids).
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Moderate.
- Legal route: no approved US product for personal use; possession without a prescription is a crime.
What is methandrostenolone?
Dianabol was introduced in 1958 and briefly prescribed for various conditions before it was withdrawn. Its popularity in weightlifting and bodybuilding helped prompt anti-doping rules.
It produces quick gains in weight and strength, partly from water retention, because it converts to an estrogen-like compound.
Quick facts
| Fact | Methandrostenolone |
|---|---|
| Other names | Metandienone, Dianabol |
| Drug class | Oral 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic-androgenic steroid |
| US legal status | Schedule III; not marketed in the US |
| History | Developed by Ciba in the 1950s with US team doctor John Ziegler; withdrawn in the 1980s |
| Forms | Tablets (underground) |
| Half-life | About 3 to 6 hours |
How long does methandrostenolone last?
- Starts working: Days to weeks
- Effects last: Daily dosing (short half-life)
- Half-life: About 3 to 6 hours
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of methandrostenolone?
Liver: oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroids can cause liver injury, cholestasis, blood-filled liver cysts (peliosis hepatis), and liver tumors.
Heart: steroids lower HDL (good) cholesterol, raise LDL, thicken the heart muscle, and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in young people.
Hormones: in men, shrunken testicles, low sperm count, infertility, and breast growth; in women, deepened voice, facial hair, and menstrual changes that may be permanent.
What should you never mix with methandrostenolone?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other blood thinners | Increased bleeding risk | Monitor closely |
| Insulin and diabetes medicines | Lower blood sugar | Monitor |
| Other steroids and stimulants | Heart and liver strain | High risk |
| Alcohol and acetaminophen in high doses | More liver damage (oral steroids) | Avoid |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a methandrostenolone overdose, and what should you do?
Methandrostenolone does not usually cause acute overdose. Harms build over time: seek emergency care for chest pain, signs of stroke, yellowing skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or thoughts of self-harm.
When to get emergency help
- Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, or a severe headache.
- Seek urgent care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or a painful, swollen leg.
- Seek care for a hot, painful, or swollen injection site, which may be an infection.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.
What happens when someone stops anabolic steroids?
After a cycle, the body's own testosterone production is suppressed and can take weeks to months to recover. Many users develop dependence on steroids.
- Weeks 1 to 4Low testosteroneFatigue, low sex drive, erectile problems, and low mood.
- Months 1 to 3RecoveryDepression, which can be severe, and muscle loss; hormone levels slowly recover.
- Months to a year or moreLasting effectsSome people have long-term low testosterone or infertility.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full methandrostenolone withdrawal guide.
Is methandrostenolone legal?
Methandrostenolone is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroid Control Acts of 1990 and 2004. It has no approved US product.
- Possession: under federal law, possessing anabolic steroids without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense.
- Selling or importing: distributing Schedule III substances can bring up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Products bought online are often seized at the border.
- Sport: all anabolic steroids are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and US sports organizations.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C; possession for personal use is not an offence, but supply is |
| Canada | Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act |
| Australia | Schedule 4 prescription medicine; import controls apply |
| International | Not under UN control; banned in sport by WADA |
Frequently asked questions about methandrostenolone
Is Dianabol legal?
No. It is a Schedule III steroid with no approved US product.
Why does Dianabol cause water retention?
It converts into an estrogen-like compound that makes the body hold water and salt.
Is Dianabol hard on the liver?
Yes. It is an oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroid that can damage the liver.
What is 'legal Dianabol'?
Supplements sold with similar names usually contain no steroid or contain unlisted drugs; they are not the same compound.
Can Dianabol cause gynecomastia?
Yes, through its estrogen-like effects.
Sources
- Anabolic Steroids, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Anabolic Steroids, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- 21 U.S.C. 841, Prohibited acts A (trafficking penalties), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Methandrostenolone profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
