Nandrolone at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- 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
- Banned in sport
- Yes (WADA)
Nandrolone uses: what it is used for
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.[1]
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.
Nandrolone dosage: how it is usually prescribed
Nandrolone is rarely prescribed today. Historical labeling for anemia of kidney disease is summarized below; it is not personal dosing advice.[1]
| Group | Historical labeled dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50 to 100 mg once a week | Deep intramuscular injection |
| Men | 100 to 200 mg once a week | Treatment periods with breaks |
| Children 2 to 13 | 25 to 50 mg every 3 to 4 weeks | Risk to growth plates |
Nandrolone side effects and risks
Common effects include acne, fluid retention, raised red blood cells, and suppressed natural testosterone production.[2]
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.[2]
Underground products: steroids sold without a prescription are often mislabeled, underdosed, or contaminated, and shared needles spread infections.
Nandrolone interactions: what not to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| 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 |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Can you overdose on nandrolone?
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.[2]
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.[2]
- 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.
Depression after stopping steroids can be severe and has been linked to suicide attempts. A clinician can help, including with medicines to restart hormone production.
How to get prescribed nandrolone legally in the US
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.[3]
- 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.[4]
- 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.[5]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[6][7]
- Availability: no brand-name nandrolone is marketed in the US. A clinician can prescribe nandrolone decanoate prepared by a compounding pharmacy for a legitimate medical need.
- Sport: nandrolone is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and its metabolites can be detected for months.
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order nandrolone online legally?
Only with a valid prescription, filled by a licensed compounding pharmacy that is registered to ship to your state. Websites and social media sellers offering "deca" without a prescription are illegal, and their products are frequently counterfeit or contaminated.[6]
Possessing anabolic steroids without a prescription is a federal crime under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act.[3]
Nandrolone price: how much does nandrolone cost without insurance?
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic nandrolone is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[6]
Nandrolone legal status in other countries
| 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 |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[8]
Common 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.
Can you buy nandrolone without a prescription?
No. nandrolone is a Schedule III controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the FDA warns that products sold this way are often counterfeit, contaminated, or the wrong strength. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
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.
