Steroid Profiles

Testosterone Cypionate is nearly identical to Testosterone Enanthate but with a slightly longer half-life of approximately 8 days due to the longer cypionate ester chain. It is the most commonly prescribed testosterone ester for TRT in North America, making Canadian physician-monitored protocols frequently testosterone cypionate-based. The slightly longer half-life allows once-weekly injections for TRT purposes, though twice-weekly is preferred for more stable blood levels in bodybuilding contexts. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Sustanon 250 is a proprietary blend of four testosterone esters: testosterone propionate (30mg), testosterone phenylpropionate (60mg), testosterone isocaproate (60mg), and testosterone decanoate (100mg). The multi-ester design was intended to provide both immediate and sustained testosterone release from a single injection. The propionate and phenylpropionate esters kick in rapidly within 24–48 hours while the isocaproate and decanoate provide sustained levels over 2–3 weeks. Popular for TRT and bodybuilding. Available from Zionova and Accel Pharma.

Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate) is a 19-nortestosterone derivative with a favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of 125:37, delivering significant muscle growth with low androgenic activity. Used medically since the 1960s for muscle wasting diseases, anemia, and osteoporosis. In bodybuilding it is famous as part of the classic "Arnold Stack" — Testosterone, Deca, and Dianabol. Uniquely among anabolic steroids, Deca provides measurable joint lubrication through increased synovial fluid and collagen synthesis, making it popular with athletes training through joint pain. Available from Genetix Pharma and Zionova.

Masteron (Drostanolone Propionate) is an injectable DHT derivative originally developed in 1959 and used clinically as a breast cancer treatment due to its anti-estrogenic properties. In bodybuilding it is prized for its ability to enhance muscle hardness, density, and vascularity while acting as a mild aromatase inhibitor — reducing the need for pharmaceutical AI compounds. Best results are seen at low body fat levels (<12%) where its hardening effects become visually dramatic. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Dianabol (Methandienone/Methandrostenolone) was the first oral anabolic steroid to achieve widespread use in sports, developed by Dr. John Ziegler working with Ciba Pharmaceuticals in 1958 to aid American Olympic weightlifters competing against Soviet testosterone users. With an anabolic rating of 210 and androgenic rating of 60, it provides rapid and dramatic strength and mass gains within the first 2–4 weeks. It aromatizes significantly, making estrogenic management essential. Universally used as a kickstart compound to provide rapid gains while long-ester injectables are building blood levels. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is a potent DHT-derived oral anabolic steroid developed in the 1960s, originally used to treat anemia and muscle wasting diseases. It provides the most rapid and dramatic mass and strength gains of any oral steroid — users commonly report gaining 20–30lbs within 4–6 weeks. Unlike most other oral steroids it does not aromatize but still causes significant estrogenic-like effects through an unknown mechanism, making gynecomastia management necessary. Due to its high liver toxicity, cycles must be kept to a maximum of 4–6 weeks with mandatory liver support. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Winstrol (Stanozolol) is a DHT-derived compound available in both oral and injectable form, famous for promoting muscle hardness, vascularity, and definition without water retention. Developed in 1962 by Winthrop Laboratories, it gained international notoriety when Ben Johnson tested positive for it at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Unlike most anabolic steroids it does not convert to estrogen, making it a purely dry compound. Its effect on SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) reduction increases free testosterone levels when stacked, amplifying results from other compounds. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is a nonsteroidal oral SARM developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of muscle wasting and osteoporosis. It selectively binds to androgen receptors in muscle and bone tissue with high affinity, producing anabolic effects without significant androgenic activity in non-target tissues. The first SARM to complete a Phase I human clinical trial demonstrating dose-dependent lean body mass increases. Has undergone more human clinical testing than any other SARM except enobosarm/ostarine. Available from Zionova and Accel Pharma.

Ostarine (MK-2866, Enobosarm, GTx-024) is the most researched SARM in existence, having completed Phase II human clinical trials. Developed by GTx Inc., it is the mildest and best-studied SARM, making it the ideal starting point for those new to selective androgen receptor modulators. It promotes lean muscle growth, preserves muscle during caloric deficit, and improves bone density with minimal suppression at low doses. The only SARM with published Phase II human RCT data confirming lean body mass improvements in both elderly men and postmenopausal women. Available from Zionova and Accel Pharma.

RAD-140 (Testolone) was developed by Radius Health Inc. as a potential treatment for breast cancer and muscle wasting. It is the most potent SARM available with an anabolic-to-androgenic ratio of 90:1 vs testosterone's 1:1 — delivering near-steroid levels of muscle growth with minimal androgenic side effects. It also demonstrates neuroprotective properties in preclinical research. The 60-hour half-life allows once-daily dosing. Available from Zionova and Accel Pharma.

Cardarine (GW-501516) is a PPARδ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) agonist — it is NOT technically a SARM despite being grouped with them. It was co-developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Ligand Pharmaceuticals and abandoned in Phase II trials in 2007 after causing rapid cancer development in multiple tissue types in rodents at doses used for extended periods. At shorter durations and lower doses it dramatically increases endurance by activating genes involved in fat oxidation and energy expenditure. Health Canada has issued a safety advisory regarding GW501516. Available from Zionova and Genetix Pharma.

MK-677 (Ibutamoren) is a growth hormone secretagogue and ghrelin receptor agonist — it stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more natural growth hormone and IGF-1. It is not technically a SARM but is universally grouped with them. Unlike injectable HGH, MK-677 is oral, requires no reconstitution, and does not suppress natural GH production. A landmark 2-year randomized controlled trial published in Annals of Internal Medicine confirmed MK-677 significantly increases lean body mass, reduces fat mass, and restores IGF-1 to youthful levels in elderly subjects. Available from Zionova, Genetix Pharma, and Accel Pharma.

Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) developed in the 1960s and used clinically for breast cancer treatment and prevention. In bodybuilding it serves two critical functions: (1) as an on-cycle estrogen blocker in breast tissue to prevent gynecomastia during aromatizing steroid cycles, and (2) as the cornerstone of Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) to stimulate LH and FSH production and restore natural testosterone. It blocks estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary, allowing these glands to resume signaling the testes to produce testosterone. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) is a SERM that produces stronger LH and FSH stimulation than tamoxifen, making it a more powerful testosterone restorer during PCT. It works by blocking estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary, removing estrogenic negative feedback and triggering increased LH and FSH release — the hormones that signal the testes to resume testosterone production. Widely used in male fertility medicine. Meta-analysis of 19 studies confirms it increases total testosterone by an average of +2.60 nmol/L. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Arimidex (Anastrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI) that blocks the aromatase enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to estradiol. Used on-cycle with aromatizing steroids (testosterone, Dianabol, Deca) to prevent estrogen-related side effects including gynecomastia, water retention, and high blood pressure. At 1mg/day it reduces circulating estrogen by approximately 50% in men. Unlike SERMs it does not stimulate LH/FSH production — it simply blocks estrogen at the source. Dosing must be guided by E2 bloodwork to avoid crashing estrogen (which causes joint pain, low libido, depression, and fatigue). Available from Genetix Pharma and Accel Pharma.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a peptide hormone that mimics LH (luteinizing hormone), stimulating the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone directly — bypassing the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. During steroid cycles the testes stop receiving LH signals from the pituitary, causing testicular atrophy (shrinkage) and reduced intratesticular testosterone. Low-dose HCG during the cycle prevents this. A pre-PCT blast (2 weeks of HCG before starting Nolvadex/Clomid) jumpstarts testicular function and makes SERM-based PCT significantly more effective. Available from Zionova.

Clenbuterol is a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist originally developed as a bronchodilator for asthma treatment. At therapeutic doses it increases metabolic rate through thermogenesis, promotes lipolysis (fat breakdown), suppresses appetite, and has mild anabolic effects in skeletal muscle by activating protein synthesis through beta-2 receptor signaling. It is the most widely used cutting agent in bodybuilding worldwide. The 2-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off protocol is used because beta-2 receptors downregulate with continuous use, reducing its effectiveness. Available from Genetix Pharma, Zionova, and Accel Pharma.

Sildenafil (Viagra) was developed by Pfizer and approved in 1998 as the first oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. It is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that increases blood flow by blocking the enzyme that breaks down cGMP — allowing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation in penile tissue. In bodybuilding it is used to counteract steroid-induced erectile dysfunction (particularly common with Deca, Trenbolone, and other suppressive compounds) and for enhanced training pumps through improved blood flow. The original NEJM trial showed 77–84% response rates. Available from Zionova and Accel Pharma.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 incretin hormone produced naturally after eating. It reduces appetite by acting on GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces glucagon secretion — creating a sustained state of reduced caloric intake and improved metabolic function. The landmark STEP 1 Phase III trial demonstrated -14.9% mean body weight reduction vs -2.4% placebo over 68 weeks. This is the strongest weight loss efficacy data of any pharmaceutical agent in history. Available as SM5 from Accel Pharma.