Drug reference
Nandrolone
Androgen · Disorders of bone metabolism
Also known as Nandrolone decanoate
AndrogenDisorders of bone metabolism
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
X
FDA category + note
Mechanism
Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, acts intracellularly by binding to androgen receptors. This interaction initiates a series of events leading to growth, differentiation, and synthesis of various enzymes and other functional proteins.
Indications
Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (but not recommended)catabolic states (for short periods)osteoporosissuboptimal growth in boys (controversial)hypoplastic anaemiahaemolytic anaemiamalignancy associated anaemiaenhance physical ability in athletes (illegal)
Dosing
- Adult
- Adult (female): 50 mg every 3 weeks by deep intramuscular injection.
- Pediatric
- 10 mg (phenyl propionate)
Contraindications
- Acute porphyrias
- carcinoma of prostate
- male breast carcinoma
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- pregnancy (masculinization of female foetus)
- men aged >65 years
- coronary artery disease
- congestive heart failure (CHF)
- sleep apnoea
- migraine
- epilepsy
Side effects
Common
Clitoris enlargeddysphoniahirsutismhypertensionlibido increasednauseaoedemaskin reactionssodium retentionurine flow decreasedvirilizing side effects
Serious
- Hepatic disorders
- hepatic neoplasm
- virilism (with high doses including voice changes - sometimes irreversible)
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
X
Related guidelines
Iron deficiency anaemia in adults
ICMR · Hematology · 2023
Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy
ICMR · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2022
Fetal growth restriction
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2018
Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2017
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
FOGSI · Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2019
Other Androgen drugs
Ask House about Nandrolone
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Katzung, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team