Miotolan (Furazabol) Complete Steroid Profile

Summary

Miotolan, also called Furazabol, is a modified version of the anabolic steroid stanozolol (Winstrol). It is distinguished by its ability to reduce cholesterol levels, making it unique among anabolic steroids. This trait led to its usage not just by athletes and bodybuilders for performance enhancement but also in clinical trials to treat hyperlipidemia, a disorder characterized by excessive cholesterol levels. 

According to reports, athletes were given Furazabol to enhance their performance while trying to avoid detection in drug tests. They believed that Furazabol's ability to lower cholesterol would make it seem like a health benefit.  This demonstrates the extent to which teams and individuals will strive to gain a competitive edge alongside the ongoing struggle between doping and sports regulations.

Despite its potential benefits, the use of Miotolan, like other anabolic steroids, comes with risks, including liver toxicity and the potential for cardiovascular issues, leading to its classification as a controlled substance in many countries.

Description

Furazabol is an oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. This compound has a mild androgenic impact and a balanced anabolic profile. This is undoubtedly caused by the steroid's A-ring being modified, which keeps the steroid structure stable and enables it to attach to muscle tissue receptors for an extended period, resulting in anabolic effects. 

In contrast, dihydrotestosterone is a weak anabolic that is rapidly converted to inactive metabolites in muscle tissue. Furazabol's gains are not tremendous; rather, they more closely mirror the quality growth of a mild, non-aromatizing anabolic such as drostanolone or stanozolol rather than the bulky, watery testosterone. For this reason, athletes in sports requiring quickness or weight restriction most frequently use Furazabol during the cutting phases of training.

History

Furazabol was initially prescribed in 1965. Miotolan from Daiichi Seiyaku Labs in Japan was the only pharmaceutical preparation that contained Furazabol. It was mostly marketed in Japan in the 1970s and 1980s. Because the agent itself is rarely discussed in Western medical literature, athletes tend to associate it with many myths. However, a reasonable assessment places this drug in a class quite close to stanozolol, as both have modest androgenic action and are moderately potent anabolics. 

In the 1980s, Furazabol was a popular drug used by athletes in the Olympics to enhance their performance. Some coaches knew that the drug testing officials couldn't detect Furazabol because they hadn't identified it yet. It's believed that Ben Johnson, an athlete, was given Furazabol by his doctor, Dr. Jamie Astaphan, during the 1988 Seoul Olympics because they knew it wouldn't show up in drug tests. However, Johnson tested positive for stanozolol, another steroid, which Dr. Astaphan denied giving him. It's still not clear how Johnson ended up testing positive for a different drug. The advantage of Furazabol being undetectable was lost when techniques to detect it in urine were developed within two years.

These days, bodybuilders don't often come across Furazabol. There hasn't been any official medicine containing Furazabol since the Japanese company Miotolan closed down years ago. However, the drug is still made in large amounts in Asia, mainly as a raw material for making other products. This is why it is sometimes available on the black market.  Still, it's unlikely that this steroid will ever be used in real prescription medicine again.

Research on Miotolan

The understanding of Furazabol's half-life, active life, and detection time relies mainly on scientific research. According to one study, two participants had unchanged furazabol half-lives of 1.87 and 1.29 hours, respectively. After 48 hours, 24% of the drug was recovered on average (33% in one case and 15% in another). This is particularly concerning for athletes who are subject to drug testing because Furazabol is metabolized in the body and expelled as 16-hydroxyfurazabol through the urine. This is easily detected in the body and is a standard component of steroid testing performed by organizations such as the International Olympic Committee. Miotolan has the same non-estrogenicity and inability to aromatize as Winstrol. Still, it also has a risk of liver problems and DHT-related adverse effects, like acne and hair loss. Furazabol is known for its impact on cholesterol levels, in contrast to Winstrol, which might have negative effects on cholesterol levels. 

Research on rats has shown that furazabol injection results in considerable increases in plasminogen activator activity and decreases in plasma fibrinogen and cholesterol levels; these effects usually return to normal within one month of stopping the treatment. The fact that the steroid lowers cholesterol without affecting urine protein excretion (proteinuria) is even more problematic because anabolic steroids often have a beneficial impact on proteinuria. 

Studies' dosages were relatively high, indicating the possibility of medicinal and anabolic benefits at lesser concentrations. Given that Furazabol and Winstrol have similar anabolic ratings, they may be useful for managing cholesterol and gaining muscle mass. Furazabol's non-estrogenic characteristics make it a viable option for pre-competition use, offering superior muscle development with negligible androgenic concerns. It is appropriate for use by both men and women, though there are certain restrictions. Its high price and restricted availability are the main disadvantages.

The study's conclusion indicates that Furazabol, a DHT-derived steroid, is a cholesterol-friendly alternative to Winstrol. However, Furazabol differs from Winstrol in that it substitutes a 2,3-furazan group for Winstrol's 2,3-pyrazol group. This comparison highlights Furazabol's distinct qualities, making it a compelling choice for individuals looking for the advantages of anabolic steroids without the cholesterol-related adverse effects of comparable substances.

Structure of Miotolan

A modified version of dihydrotestosterone is Furazabol. Two things set it apart: 1) a methyl group is added at carbon 17-alpha to protect the hormone when taken orally, and 2) a furazan group is attached to the A-ring to replace the typical 3-keto group. The 17-alpha methyl dihydrotestosterone, Furazabol's A-ring alteration, appears to boost its anabolic potency while decreasing its relative androgenicity significantly. 

Particularly intriguing is the fact that Miotolan is derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and has an impressive anabolic rating in addition to its potential to decrease cholesterol. Both steroids are DHT molecules that have had a 17-alpha-methyl group added, giving them structural similarities to Winstrol and the risk for hepatotoxicity. They are also both orally active. But Furazabol's lack of a 3-keto group lessens its androgenic potency. 

Administration (Men)

For men, the starting point for an effective furazabol dosage is between 10 and 20 mg per day, given for a maximum of 6 or 8 weeks. At this point, it has a quantifiable effect on muscle growth, which is typically accompanied by fat loss and enhanced definition. The drug's anabolic potential is significantly increased with doses of 30 mg or higher per day, but the trade-off is increased hepatotoxicity.

Alternatively, adding an injectable anabolic like Deca-Durabolin or Equipoise could significantly increase Furazabol's muscle-building properties. In this instance, the combination ought to result in a notable increase in strong, high-quality muscle mass without causing water retention-related loss of definition.  A stronger type of androgen that can convert to estrogen, like testosterone, could be used. However, this may lead to some water retention and a decrease in muscle definition.

Administration (Women)

To reduce the risk of virilization in the sports arena, an effective oral daily dosage would be between 2 and 5 mg, administered in cycles of no more than 4-6 weeks. Similar to all steroids, women may still experience virilizing adverse effects, but they are rare when using cautious dosages. 

Benefits 

Moderate Anabolic Effects

Miotolan is classified as a mildly anabolic steroid, which implies that it can aid in the development of muscular mass and strength in users. 

Low Androgenic Properties

Compared to greater androgenic steroids, the drug has mild androgenic effects, which lower the likelihood of androgenic side effects such as aggressive behaviour, hair loss, and prostate enlargement. 

Stable Binding in Muscle Tissue

The steroid's A-ring alteration enables it to attach to muscle tissue receptors for an extended period, resulting in anabolic effects. 

Non-Aromatizing

Because the body does not aromatize Miotolan, it does not change into estrogen. This avoids estrogen-related adverse effects, including gynecomastia (the growth of breast tissue in men) and water retention. 

Quality Muscle Gains

Miotolan's effects are characterized by high-quality, non-bloated muscular growth, which makes it a good choice for anyone aiming for a more toned, defined body. 

Use in the Cutting Phase

Bodybuilders frequently use Miotolan in the cutting phase to improve muscle definition and decrease body fat because it can generate strong, lean muscle without water retention. 

Fit for Sports Requiring Speed and Weight Restrictions

Because Miotolan builds muscle without causing noticeable weight gain, it may be advantageous for athletes participating in sports requiring speed and weight restrictions. 

Moderate androgenic Side Effects

While there are potential androgenic side effects (e.g., oily skin, acne, increased body and facial hair), they are considered mild, especially at lower doses.

Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)

PCT help restore natural testosterone production, which is a common practice to mitigate the negative impact on natural hormone levels after steroid use.

Liver Toxicity Management

The recommendation to limit cycles to no longer than 8 weeks and to use liver aids like Liv-52 highlights an approach to managing the hepatotoxicity associated with C17aa oral steroids.

Side effects 

Estrogenic Side effects

Furazabol does not cause the body to aromatize and does not have measurable estrogenic properties. This steroid gives the body a beautiful, slender appearance without raising the risk of excessive subcutaneous fluid retention, unlike estrogen, which is typically the cause of water retention. Because of this, it is a good steroid to take during cutting cycles, when fat retention and water retention are big issues. 

Androgenic Side effects

Despite being categorized as an anabolic steroid, this may have androgenic side effects, particularly at larger dosages. The Androgenic Side Effects can involve periods of acne, greasy skin, and facial/body hair growth. Male pattern hair loss may also be made worse by anabolic/androgenic steroids. The possible virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic drugs are cautioned against in women. These could include clitoral enlargement, irregular menstruation, changes in skin texture, and a deepening of the voice.

Since Furazabol is a steroid that has less androgenic activity than it does tissue-building benefits, it has a significantly higher threshold for strong androgenic side effects than more androgenic steroids like testosterone, methandrostenolone, or fluoxymesterone.  Note that Furazabol is unaffected by the 5- alpha reductase enzyme, so its relative androgenicity is not affected by the concurrent use of finasteride or dutasteride.

Hepatotoxicity Side effects

Furazabol is an alkylated c17-alpha chemical. This change protects the drug from being deactivated by the liver, allowing more of it to enter the bloodstream when taken orally. Hepatotoxic effects can result from C17-alpha alkylated anabolic/androgenic drugs. A high or prolonged exposure may harm the liver. Rarely, a potentially fatal malfunction may arise.

It is recommended that you see a doctor on a regular basis throughout each cycle to keep an eye on your general health and liver function. The duration of c17-alpha alkylated steroid intake is often restricted to 6-8 weeks to prevent the liver strain from getting worse. It is recommended to use a liver detoxification supplement while using any hepatotoxic anabolic/androgenic drugs. 

Cardiovascular Side effects

Anabolic/androgenic steroids can negatively impact the levels of serum cholesterol. This involves an inclination to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decrease HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which could increase the HDL to LDL level in favor of an increased risk of arteriosclerosis. The dosage, mode of administration (oral vs. injectable), kind of steroid (aromatizable vs. nonaromatizable), and degree of resistance to hepatic metabolism all affect how anabolic/androgenic steroid affects blood lipid levels. Furazabol's structural resistance to liver breakdown, non-aromatizable nature, and mode of delivery all contribute to its potent effects on the hepatic control of cholesterol. 

Triglyceride and blood pressure levels

Additionally, anabolic/androgenic steroids may worsen triglyceride and blood pressure levels, inhibit endothelial relaxation, and promote left ventricular hypertrophy, all of which may raise the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease.  To help prevent cardiovascular problems, it is recommended to minimize the consumption of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. It's also advised to supplement with 4 grams of fish oil daily and a natural cholesterol/antioxidant combination like Lipid Stabil or a product similar in content. 

Testosterone Suppression

It is believed that all anabolic/androgenic drugs suppress the production of endogenous testosterone when taken in dosages high enough to encourage muscle gain. Within one to four months of drug separation, testosterone levels return to normal without the need for testosterone-stimulating drugs. 

Keep in mind that persistent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism might arise as a result of abusing steroids and require medical attention. 

Dosage

For men, a daily dosage of 10–20 mg is usually helpful for gaining substantial muscle mass, which is typically followed by fat loss and a more pronounced muscular appearance over 6-8 weeks.

Women can use this medication, and they frequently find that taking 2.5–5 mg daily for 4-6 weeks is enough to produce the desired effects. 

Availability

Although Furazabol is no longer manufactured as a prescription medication, unofficial versions of this steroid are still available. 

References

1. Miotolan (2024) Anabolic Insights. Available at: https://anabolicinsights.org/miotolan/ (Accessed: 11 June 2024).
2. Miotolan (furazabol) | JuicedMuscle.com. Available at: https://juicedmuscle.com/jmblog/content/miotolan-furazabol (Accessed: 11 June 2024).
3. Miotolan® (furazabol) oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone (2023) MuscleChemistry.com | Train Your Mind To Build Your Body. Available at: https://www.musclechemistry.com/forums/threads/miotolan-r-furazabol-oral-anabolic-steroid-derived-from-dihydrotestosterone.72784/ (Accessed: 11 June 2024).
4. Skye (2006) Furazabol (Miotolan), AnabolicMinds.com. Available at: https://anabolicminds.com/community/threads/furazabol-miotolan.15328/ (Accessed: 11 June 2024).