Short answer: Nandrolone is an injectable anabolic steroid. Nandrolone decanoate is FDA-approved for anemia of kidney disease, but the brand Deca-Durabolin left the US market in 2002 and it is now mainly compounded. It is a Schedule III controlled substance, widely misused for muscle building, and banned in sport.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US.
- Main uses: Anemia of kidney disease (rarely used).
- Timing: effects start in days to weeks and last weeks per injection.
- Most dangerous mix: Other anabolic steroids or stimulants, which can cause heart and blood pressure strain.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Moderate with misuse.
- Legal route: only with a prescription from a DEA-registered clinician, filled by a licensed pharmacy.
What is nandrolone?
Nandrolone decanoate was approved for anemia caused by kidney failure, before erythropoietin-stimulating medicines largely replaced it. It has also been studied for HIV wasting and osteoporosis.
It has strong muscle-building (anabolic) effects with somewhat weaker masculinizing effects than testosterone, which is why it is popular for non-medical use in bodybuilding.
Quick facts
| Fact | Nandrolone |
|---|---|
| Generic name | Nandrolone decanoate |
| Brand names | Deca-Durabolin (no longer marketed in the US) |
| Drug class | Anabolic-androgenic steroid (19-nortestosterone) |
| US legal status | Schedule III, prescription only |
| Approved use | Anemia of renal insufficiency (historical labeling) |
| Availability | Compounding pharmacies and outsourcing facilities |
| Forms | Intramuscular injection |
| Half-life | About 6 to 12 days (decanoate ester) |
| Detection in sport | Metabolites detectable for months |
How long does nandrolone last?
- Starts working: Days to weeks
- Effects last: Weeks per injection
- Half-life: About 6 to 12 days (decanoate ester)
Its metabolites can be detected in urine for many months after use, which is why it causes many failed sports drug tests.
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 nandrolone?
Common effects include acne, fluid retention, raised red blood cells, and suppressed natural testosterone production.
Serious risks, especially with high-dose misuse, include heart enlargement, high blood pressure, unfavorable cholesterol, blood clots, infertility, breast enlargement in men, low libido, mood changes and depression, and, in women, deepened voice, body hair, and menstrual changes that may be permanent.
Underground products: steroids sold without a prescription are often mislabeled, underdosed, or contaminated, and shared needles spread infections.
What should you never mix with nandrolone?
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin | Increases anticoagulant effect | Monitor INR |
| Insulin and diabetes medicines | Can lower blood sugar | Monitor glucose |
| Other anabolic steroids or stimulants | Heart and blood pressure strain | Avoid |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a nandrolone overdose, and what should you do?
Nandrolone does not cause an acute overdose like sedatives or opioids. Harm builds over time with high doses: heart enlargement, high blood pressure, clots, mood changes, and hormone disruption.
When to get emergency help
- Call 911 for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), or fainting.
- Call 911 for coughing, throat tightness, or trouble breathing during or right after an injection.
- Get urgent care for a painful, swollen leg, which can signal a blood clot, or for yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 if a child has touched or swallowed a testosterone gel or other product.
What happens when you stop nandrolone?
After a course, natural testosterone production is suppressed, which can cause low mood, fatigue, low libido, and erectile problems for weeks to months. Nandrolone suppresses production strongly, and recovery can be slow.
- Weeks 1 to 4Levels fallFatigue, low libido, low mood.
- Months 1 to 3Low testosteroneSymptoms of hypogonadism can peak; depression risk.
- 3 to 12 monthsRecoveryNatural production gradually returns; medical help can speed it.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full nandrolone withdrawal guide.
Is nandrolone legal?
In the United States, nandrolone is a Schedule III controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
- Refills: a Schedule III prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C; possession for personal use not an offence, supply illegal |
| Canada | Schedule IV |
| Australia | Schedule 4; controlled in most states |
| International | Not under UN control; banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency |
Frequently asked questions about nandrolone
Is nandrolone still available in the US?
Deca-Durabolin left the market in 2002. Nandrolone decanoate can still be prescribed and is prepared by compounding pharmacies.
Is nandrolone safer than other steroids?
No. High doses carry serious heart, hormone, and mental health risks, and it strongly suppresses natural testosterone.
How long can nandrolone be detected?
Its metabolites can be detected in urine for many months after use, which is why it causes many failed sports drug tests.
Sources
- Nandrolone decanoate (nandrolone) prescribing information, DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Anabolic Steroids, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV), Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth, US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information, US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Nandrolone profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
