Andriol

Andriol is the brand and trade name for Testosterone undecanoate, an oral testosterone product. It has an oil base and comes in the form of gelatin capsules. The drug has several significant differences compared to other oral steroids. Oral steroids are almost always C17-alpha alkylated compounds (obtained by methylation). This is the process by which a methyl group is attached to the carbon of Testosterone at the 17th position (or another anabolic steroid). Due to this structural change, the hormone is able to overcome the hepatic barrier, and its oral bioavailability increases. The disadvantage of this modification is that C17-alpha alkylation is almost always associated with toxic effects and stress on the liver (hepatotoxicity), thereby limiting the duration of use and / or the maximum allowable dosage. Andriol does not have a methyl group at the C17-alpha position, despite being the oral form of Testosterone.

Instead, Andriol is an esterified form of Testosterone (Testosterone undecanoate) in which a hormone molecule is attached to a long chain of fatty acids through an ester bond. When Andriol is consumed (especially in the presence of edible fats), the high lipophilic nature of the compound ensures partial absorption of the drug through the lymphatic system of the gastrointestinal tract. Although Andriol is not liver toxic, its lipophilic nature is responsible for some of the disadvantages. Since drug absorption is related to its fat solubility, research has shown that the oral bioavailability of Andriol is only about 7%.

Andriol was first synthesized and produced by Organon in the early 1980s. In addition to the brand name Andriol, the drug is also produced in various regions and countries of the world under different names: Virigen, Undestor, Restandol, Panteston and Androxon. The drug is used as Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) in men with reduced natural hormone production. Andriol can serve as an alternative to Testosterone injections during TRT (eg Testosterone enanthate or Testosterone cypionate), and thus can be used as a more convenient form of administration for those who prefer oral administration to injections.

Initially, Andriol should have been refrigerated. In the early 2000s, Organon synthesized a new product known as Andriol Testocaps, which can be stored at room temperature without any damage to the product. Consumers should be aware that at room temperature Andriol Testokaps has a shelf life of 3 years (unlike the previous Andriol, which had a shelf life of 3 months). Andriol gelatin capsules contain the active ingredient in a dose of 40 mg.

Andriol is widely used, but its popularity among athletes and bodybuilders is not very high. This is due to the very low oral bioavailability of Andriol, combined with the relatively high cost of this product. Therefore, bodybuilders and athletes often prefer the more reliable, cheaper and more readily available injectable forms of Testosterone, which provide a much higher (close to 100%) bioavailability.

A feature of Andriol is that the peak level of Testosterone in the body is reached only a few hours after consumption, and after repeated use for the first two weeks, stable and stable peak plasma concentrations are maintained for 24 hours after each intake.