Norbolethone
nor-boh-LEH-tone
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
Discontinued. Historical compound only.
Standard Dose
Once daily
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral
Research Stage
Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.
Overview
Norbolethone is a vintage oral steroid. It's rarely encountered now and is mostly discussed historically. Orals from this era can be harsher on the liver than many newer medical options.
Plain-language summary
Norbolethone is a vintage oral steroid. It's rarely encountered now and is mostly discussed historically. Orals from this era can be harsher on the liver than many newer medical options.
Administration Routes
- Oral
Also known as
Mechanisms
Oral anabolic steroid (17-alpha-alkylated) - interacts with androgen receptors and promotes protein synthesis. As an oral 17-alpha-alkylated compound, it is known for being metabolized by the liver.
Detailed mechanism
Norbolethone is a 17-alpha-alkylated oral anabolic-androgenic steroid that binds directly to androgen receptors in muscle and other androgen-responsive tissues, upregulating transcription of genes involved in protein synthesis and nitrogen retention. The 17-alpha-alkyl modification prevents rapid first-pass hepatic degradation, enabling oral bioavailability but simultaneously imposing metabolic stress on hepatocytes that can elevate liver enzymes. Its structural profile limits significant aromatization, reducing estrogenic side effects, but androgenic receptor activity still produces suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Safety
Side effects
- Potential liver stress/toxicity (17-alpha-alkylated compounds)
- Testosterone suppression
- Possible changes to cholesterol (e.g., reduced HDL)
- Hair loss in genetically susceptible individuals
- Limited modern long-term safety data
Reported benefits
- Moderate muscle-building effects reported historically
- Oral administration
Safety profile
Well-characterized safety profile from extensive clinical use and trials. However, it is an older oral steroid class and liver risk is a key consideration. Consult a clinician for personalized risk assessment.
Clinical trials
Completed clinical trials leading to FDA or regulatory approval.
Structure
Verified structure
Norbolethone
No exact public structure match was confirmed, so the app will render a formula-backed illustration.
- Chemical Formula
- C20H28O2
- Molecular Weight
- 304.43 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 853-29-4
Stack Context
No stack data available.
References
- 1View source
Norbolethone: an anabolic steroid never marketed, found in a competitive athlete (Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry)
2002
- 2View source
Pharmacology of anabolic steroids (British Journal of Sports Medicine)
2008
- 3View source
Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes (Sports Medicine)
2004
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.