Main Information
- Drug : Testosterone Cypionate
- What is : A manufactured version of the naturally occurring male sex hormone, testosterone.
- Concentrarion : 200mg / ml
- Package : 10ml Vial
- Excipients : Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cottonseed oil
- Aspect : Clear, yellowish liquid
- Pharmaceutical form : Oily solution
- Administrarion : Deep intramuscular injection
Synonyms
- Testex
- Depo-Testosterone
- Deposteron
- Depovirin
- Depo-Testadiol
- Pertestis
Descripition
Testosterone Cypionate is an eight-carbon ester form of Testosterone. The number of ester carbon atoms correlate with the half-life of the prodrug.
Testosterone is an endogenous androgen wich inhibits gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland and ablates estrogen production in the ovaries, thereby decreasing endogenous estrogen levels.
Endogenous androgens are responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. These effects include growth and maturation of prostate, seminal vesicles, penis, and scrotum; development of male hair distribution, such as beard, pubic, chest, and axillary hair; laryngeal enlargement; vocal chord thickening; alterations in body musculature; and fat distribution.
Androgens also cause retention of nitrogen, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, and decreased urinary excretion of calcium. Androgens have been reported to increase protein anabolism and decrease protein catabolism. Nitrogen balance is improved only when there is sufficient intake of calories and protein.
Androgens are responsible for the growth spurt of adolescence and for the eventual termination of linear growth which is brought about by fusion of the epiphyseal growth centers. In children, exogenous androgens accelerate linear growth rates but may cause a disproportionate advancement in bone maturation. Use over long periods may result in fusion of the epiphyseal growth centers and termination of the growth process. Androgens have been reported to stimulate the production of red blood cells by enhancing the production of erythropoietic stimulating factor.
During exogenous administration of androgens, endogenous testosterone release is inhibited through feedback inhibition of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH). At large doses of exogenous androgens, spermatogenesis may also be suppressed through feedback inhibition of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
Indications
Males
Testosterone Cypionate is indicated for replacement therapy in conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone.
- Primary hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) : Testicular failure due to cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome, or orchidectomy.
- Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (congenital or acquired) : Gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) deficiency, or pituitary-hypothalamic injury from tumors, trauma, or radiation. (Appropriate adrenal cortical and thyroid hormone replacement therapy are still necessary, however, and are actually of primary importance.)
If the above conditions occur prior to puberty, androgen replacement therapy will be needed during the adolescent years for development of secondary sexual characteristics. Prolonged androgen treatment will be required to maintain sexual characteristics in these and other males who develop testosterone deficiency after puberty.
Safety and efficacy of Testosterone Cypionate in men with age-related hypogonadism have not been established.
- Delayed puberty : Testosterone Cypionate may be used to stimulate puberty in carefully selected males with clearly delayed puberty. These patients usually have a familial pattern of delayed puberty that is not secondary to a pathological disorder; puberty is expected to occur spontaneously at a relatively late date. Brief treatment with conservative doses may occasionally be justified in these patients if they do not respond to psychological support. The potential adverse effect on bone maturation should be discussed with the patient and parents prior to androgen administration. An X-ray of the hand and wrist to determine bone age should be obtained every six months to assess the effect of treatment on the epiphyseal centers (see WARNINGS).
Females
- Metastatic mammary cancer : Testosterone Cypionate may be used secondarily in women with advancing inoperable metastatic (skeletal) mammary cancer who are one to five years postmenopausal. Primary goals of therapy in these women include ablation of the ovaries. Other methods of counteracting estrogen activity are adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, and/or antiestrogen therapy. This treatment has also been used in premenopausal women with breast cancer who have benefited from oophorectomy and are considered to have a hormone-responsive tumor. Judgment concerning androgen therapy should be made by an oncologist with expertise in this field.
Contraindications
Breast Cancer in a Male Patient, cancer of the prostate gland, polycythemia vera, increased calcium in the blood from cancer, Diabetes, high cholesterol, Overweight, high blood pressure, Heart Attack, lung embolism, Chronic Heart Failure, Stroke, Blood Clot Formation in Veins, Chronic Lung Disease, Liver Problems, kidney disease with reduction in kidney function, Enlarged Prostate, Enlarged Breasts, Temporarily Stops Breathing While Sleeping, Visible Water Retention, Pregnancy, A Mother who is Producing Milk and Breastfeeding, Abnormal Increase in Red Blood Cells
Drug Interactions
When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with androgens :
- Anticoagulants, oral : C-17 substituted derivatives of testosterone, have been reported to decrease the anticoagulant requirement. Patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy require close monitoring especially when androgens are started or stopped.
- Antidiabetic drugs and insulin : In diabetic patients, the metabolic effects of androgens may decrease blood glucose and insulin requirements.
- ACTH and corticosteroids : Enhanced tendency toward edema. Use caution when giving these drugs together, especially in patients with hepatic or cardiac disease.
- Oxyphenbutazone : Elevated serum levels of oxyphenbutazone may result.
Dosage
Dosage and duration of therapy with Testosterone Cypionate will depend on age, sex, diagnosis, patient's response to treatment, and appearance of adverse effects. When properly given, injections of Testosterone Cypionate, are well tolerated. Care should be taken to slowly inject the preparation deeply into the gluteal muscle, being sure to follow the usual precautions for intramuscular administration, such as the avoidance of intravascular injection.
In general, total doses above 400 mg per month are not required because of the prolonged action of the preparation. Injections more frequently than every two weeks are rarely indicated.
- Male hypogonadism : As replacement therapy, i.e., for eunuchism, the suggested dosage is 50 to 400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks.
- In males with delayed puberty : Various dosage regimens have been used; some call for lower dosages initially with gradual increases as puberty progresses, with or without a decrease to maintenance levels. Other regimens call for higher dosage to induce pubertal changes and lower dosage for maintenance after puberty. The chronological and skeletal ages must be taken into consideration, both in determining the initial dose and in adjusting the dose. Dosage is within the range of 50 to 200 mg every 2 to 4 weeks for a limited duration, for example, 4 to 6 months. X-rays should be taken at appropriate intervals to determine the amount of bone maturation and skeletal development .
- Palliation of inoperable mammary cancer in women : A dosage of 200 to 400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks is recommended. Women with metastatic breast carcinoma must be followed closely because androgen therapy occasionally appears to accelerate the disease.
Adverse Reactions
- Skin and Appendages : Hirsutism, male pattern baldness, and acne.
- Cardiovascular Disorders : Myocardial infarction, stroke.
- Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances : Retention of sodium, chloride, water, potassium, calcium, and inorganic phosphates.
- Gastrointestinal : Nausea, cholestatic jaundice, alterations in liver function tests; rarely, hepatocellular neoplasms, peliosis hepatis.
- Hematologic : Suppression of clotting factors II, V, VII, and X; bleeding in patients on concomitant anticoagulant therapy; polycythemia.
- Nervous System : Increased or decreased libido, headache, anxiety, depression, and generalized paresthesia.
- Metabolic : Increased serum cholesterol.
- Vascular Disorders : Venous thromboembolism.
- Other : Anaphylactoid reactions; inflammation and pain at injection site.
- Female : The most common side effects of androgen therapy are amenorrhea and other menstrual irregularities, inhibition of gonadotropin secretion, and virilization, including deepening of the voice and clitoral enlargement. The latter usually is not reversible after androgens are discontinued. When administered to a pregnant woman, androgens cause virilization of the external genitalia of the female fetus.
- Male : Gynecomastia, and excessive frequency and duration of penile erections. Oligospermia may occur at high dosages.
Storage
Testosterone Cypionate should be stored at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
Warming and rotating the vial between the palms of the hands will redissolve any crystals that may have formed during storage at low temperatures.
History
Testosterone is a hormone produced by all human beings and is the primary male sex hormone. While a hormone we naturally produce and for centuries athletes of all types have experimented with testicular extract but true synthetic testosterone intended for human use first made its way to the scene in 1935, largely thanks to chemists Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ruzicka who both received a Nobel Prize for their work. Sice testosterone hormone was isolated and synthesized, the first successful injectable form available in was Testosterone Propionate.
Once the first batches of testosterone were made available, soon after many other forms would be introduced and made ready for human use.
Functions
Before we dive in, lets clear up a common misconception. Testosterone Cypionate is no more or less powerful or effective than its counterpart Testosterone Enanthate. The two compounds are virtually identical in every way.
Testosterone Cypionate is a synthetic version of the naturally produced testosterone hormone. This hormone is responsible for many different physical and mental characteristics in males. It promotes sex drive, fat loss, helps with gaining and maintaining lean muscle mass, increases bone density, and may even protect against heart disease. Whether it is naturally produced or through the use of Testosterone Cypionate, these traits do not change. All other steroids are actually the testosterone molecule that has been altered to change the properties of the hormone. Testosterone Cypionate carries a rating of 100 when measuring its anabolic/androgenic structure and this rating is used to measure all other steroids. This would make testosterone the "father" of all anabolic steroids used by athletes today. It should be noted; all testosterone compounds, including Testosterone Cypionate carry this anabolic/androgenic score of 100, as they are all merely testosterone.
Testosterone Cypionate is a highly anabolic and androgenic hormone making it a great steroid to use if one is in pursuit of more size and strength. Testosterone Cypionate promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle and the more nitrogen the muscles hold the more protein the muscles store. Testosterone Cypionate can also increase the levels of another anabolic hormone, IGF-1 in muscle tissue providing even more anabolic activity. Testosterone Cypionate also has the amazing ability to increase the activity of satellite cells. These cells play an active role in repairing damaged muscle. Testosterone also binds to the androgen receptor to promote androgen receptor dependent mechanisms for muscle gain and fat loss.
Testosterone Cypionate induces changes in shape, size and can also change the appearance and the number of muscle fibers. Androgens like testosterone can protect your hard earned muscle from the catabolic (muscle wasting) glucocorticoid hormones, in-turn inhibiting the related adverse reactions. In addition, Testosterone Cypionate has the ability to increase red blood cell production and a higher red blood cell count will improve endurance through increased oxygenation in the blood. More red blood cells can also improve recovery from strenuous physical activity. Even so, Testosterones anabolic/androgenic effects are dose dependent; the higher the dose the higher the muscle building effect.
Many athletes display massive strength gains while using Testosterone Cypionate as the hormone improves muscle contraction by increasing the number of motor neutrons in muscle and improves neuromuscular transmission. It also promotes glycogen synthesis providing more fuel for intense workouts thereby increasing endurance and strength.
Testosterone Cypionate also has the ability to promote fat loss through an enhancement of metabolic activity. Testosterone binds to the androgen receptor fairly well resulting in fat breakdown, and further prevents new fat cell formation. Another indirect action of fat loss that testosterone produces is the nutrient portioning effect it has on muscle and fat. Since the body is building muscle at an accelerated rate more of the food you eat is shuttled to muscle tissue instead of being stored as fat; nutrient efficiency is enhanced.
Testosterone Cypionate will also play a crucial role revolving around creatine. Creatine is essential to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy for our muscles and when the muscles are stimulated ATP is broken down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and this is what releases energy. Unfortunately, the process is often too slow during strenuous activity but through the use of Testosterone Cypionate, this demand is met as ATP is replenished at a much faster rate.
Effects
With a well-planned Testosterone Cypionate cycle, nearly every anabolic steroid benefit can be obtained. For the off-season athlete, more lean muscle mass can be built with less body fat gain. In-order to grow, you must consume enough calories and fat gain will occur, but Testosterone Cypionate will ensure the brunt of your weight gain is the weight you want.
While off-season bulking use is the most common, the effects of Testosterone Cypionate can be tremendously beneficial during the cutting phase too. During this period of use, we are able to preserve far more lean muscle tissue that would otherwise be lost. In-order to lose body fat, we must burn more calories than we consume and this can and often does lead to muscle and strength loss. Further, the longer and harder you diet the more muscle and strength will be at risk, but due to the traits of Testosterone Cypionate muscle tissue and strength are protected.
Regardless of the purpose of use, Testosterone Cypionate defines performance enhancement by its ability to promote recovery and endurance. With a performance level dose of Testosterone Cypionate your body can recover faster and you wont tire out as quickly. This will allow you to workout longer and harder, and more progress can be made. This is performance enhancement at its best!
Side Effects
As an extremely well-tolerated hormone for most men, the side effects of Testosterone Cypionate are in many ways easy to control. When it comes to such adverse reactions, keep in mind they largely fall into the realm of possible and are by no means guaranteed. Even so, total dosing, genetic predispositions and your overall state of health will play a role.
As for the side effects themselves, Testosterone Cypionate like all testosterone compounds carries a high level of aromatase activity; aromatization referring to the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) and excess water retention. This excess water retention can even negatively affect blood pressure. In-order to combat such effects, especially gynecomastia, many turn to Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) such as Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) and for more serious protection Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) such as Anastrozole (Arimidex). Without question, AIs are the most effective; however, they can also prove to be problematic when it comes to cholesterol and caution is advised.
Beyond these effects, Testosterone Cypionate can promote dihydrotestosterone (DHT) related side effects such as acne, hair loss and prostate enlargement; however, it should go without saying DHT steroids will be the prime culprits. In-order to provide protection, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as Finasteride can be useful as it is an androgen suppressor and the androgen DHT is causing the problem. It must be noted; hair loss is only possible in men predisposed to male pattern baldness.
Administration
Testosterone Cypionate is only available in an injectable form and is regularly used to treat conditions such as low testosterone. More than twenty million men in the U.S. alone suffer from some form of low testosterone, and such a condition can severely diminish ones quality of life. Symptoms such as loss of muscle mass and strength, a decrease in libido and sexual performance, an increase in body fat, and low energy levels are all common characteristics of low testosterone. Further, when ignored low testosterone can be a gateway to Alzheimers, diabetes, osteoporosis and many other serious conditions. Most men will find one injection every seven to ten days at 100mg to 200mg per injection to completely eradicate such a problem.
For performance enhancement, one injection per week is often enough; however, in many cases two smaller yet equal sized injections will prove to be far more efficient. The reason for multiple injections is to keep blood levels peaked; further, it is often needed to control side effects that may occur with performance level dosing. Like most anabolic steroids, the more you take the greater the reward, but the more you take the greater the risk. By splitting the injections up into smaller more frequent injections, you are introducing smaller amounts of the hormone for your body to deal with all at once. As for the actual performance doses, this can range anywhere from 200mg per week all the way to 1,000mg per week depending on needs and desires.
The typical dose for those who are using Cypionate to counteract the lowering of testosterone due to the use of other steroids is normally 200mg. If it is being used for direct performance purposes, most will find 400mg to 600mg per week will be effective, but it is important to note that higher doses will greatly increase the risk.
Regardless of the total dose, most steroid users will find this to be an extremely well-tolerated anabolic steroid and one that can be used for long periods of time. 12 weeks of total use is quite commonplace, as is 16 weeks. There's nothing magical about these numbers, but they are solid guidelines in-order for the individual to plan out his desired goals.
Regardless of the total dosing or the cycles length, you will need to design a post cycle therapy (PCT) plan once your Testosterone Cypionate use comes to an end. For most men, if you are discontinuing the use of anabolic steroids for more than ten weeks, you will need PCT but if your off period is less then it can be skipped. For full post cycle information and planning, please see the Post Cycle Therapy page on Steroid.com.
It should be noted; when it comes to performance enhancement, Testosterone Cypionate for women is not recommended. This is a steroid that carries far too much androgenic activity; after all, it is the primary male androgen. Women can suffer from low testosterone and there can be therapeutic benefits from the use of Testosterone Cypionate; however such treatment plans will be tremendously low dosed and should be watched closely for virilization symptoms.
Reviews
With many anabolic steroids to choose from, very few carry such a high level of versatility and toleration as Testosterone Cypionate. Perfect for beginners and long time steroid users in any cycle, it is impossible to go wrong with this steroid. If youre new to anabolic steroids and youve maxed out your natural potential, this is the perfect steroid to see your progress continue once again. If you are an advanced steroid user and have used Cypionate in past cycles, it will continue to be just as effective each and every time. This is not an anabolic steroid reserved for a particular group of people, or one that is only useful at one specific time but rather a solid foundational steroid that is perfect for any cycle.
Profile
- Chemical Name : 17b-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one
- Formula : C27 H40 O3
- Molecular Weight : 412.6112
- Molecular Weight (base) : 288.429
- Molecular Weight (ester) : 132.1184
- Formula (base) : C19 H28 O2
- Formula (ester) : C8 H14 O2
- Melting Point (base) : 155
- Melting Point (ester) : 98 - 104 C
- Manufacturer : Various
- Effective Dose (Men) : 300-2000mg+ week
- Effective Dose (Women) : Not recommended
- Active life : 8 days
- Detection Time : 3 months
- Anabolic/Androgenic ratio : 100/100
