Methyltestosterone, sold under the brand names Android, Metandren, and Testred among others, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is used in the treatment of low testosterone levels in men, delayed puberty in boys, at low doses as a diagnostic aid and to maintain secondary sexual characteristics. Chemically it is a 17alpha-methylated derivative of testosterone that confers oral activity by reducing first pass hepatic inactivation. The molecule (C20H30O2, MW 302.45 g mol) is a ligand for the androgen receptor producing both anabolic and androgenic effects; dosing and clinical response are monitored by serum testosterone, liver function tests and lipid profile because the 17alpha alkyl group increases hepatic strain and alters lipoprotein metabolism. Typical formulations are oral tablets in low milligram strengths, and pharmacokinetic features include moderate oral bioavailability, peak plasma concentrations within a few hours, hepatic metabolism primarily by phase I and II enzymes, and renal excretion of conjugated metabolites. Use is contraindicated in active prostate cancer and in pregnancy and requires individualized monitoring for erythrocytosis, liver enzyme elevation and adverse lipid changes.
![(8R,9S,10R,13S,14S)-10,13-dimethyl-17-oxo-2,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl acetate](https://veeprho.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VE0020256-8R-9S-10R-13S-14S-10-13-dimethyl-17-oxo-2-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta-a-phenanthren-3-yl-acetate.png "(8R,9S,10R,13S,14S)-10,13-dimethyl-17-oxo-2,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl acetate")
Parent: Methyltestosterone
![(8R,9S,10R)-10,17,17-trimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3(2H)-one](https://veeprho.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VE0020257-8R-9S-10R-10-17-17-trimethyl-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-15-16-17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta-a-phenanthren-3-2H-one.png "(8R,9S,10R)-10,17,17-trimethyl-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,16,17-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3(2H)-one")
Parent: Methyltestosterone
Pharmaceutical grade methyltestosterone is controlled to meet pharmacopoeial quality standards and a representative analytic specification includes assay within about 97.0 to 103.0 percent on an anhydrous basis, total related substances typically not exceeding 2.0 percent by HPLC area percent, and any single unidentified impurity generally limited to 0.5 percent or less. Key structurally related compounds and degradants to monitor are the 17 alpha epimer, 17alpha-methyl-4-androstene-3,17-dione (the 17-keto impurity), reduced dihydro analogs such as 5alpha- or 5beta-reduced methyl derivatives, 1 or 2 dehydro isomers, oxidative products at C3 and C17, and potential acetylated esters if present from processing; limits for known genotoxic or reactive impurities follow ICH thresholds and are set substantially lower, for example in the low microgram per day range translated into product percent or ppm as required. Residual solvents and heavy metals must comply with ICH Q3C and impurity elemental limits respectively, and stability testing informs expiry conditions because heat, light and moisture accelerate formation of the listed degradants.
Methyltestosterone is used as androgen replacement therapy in men with clinically confirmed hypogonadism, to induce or accelerate puberty in selected boys with delayed puberty, and at low doses for short term diagnostic or supportive purposes to maintain secondary sexual characteristics; treatment requires clinical and laboratory monitoring due to hepatic and metabolic risks.
No, methyltestosterone is a synthetic 17alpha-methylated derivative of testosterone; it is structurally similar and acts on the same androgen receptor, but the 17alpha-methyl modification increases oral bioavailability and alters metabolism and toxicity compared with endogenous testosterone or parenteral testosterone esters.
Methyltestosterone produces androgenic effects that can raise circulating androgen activity, but exogenous administration typically suppresses endogenous gonadotropin secretion through negative feedback which can reduce endogenous testosterone production; net measured serum testosterone may vary with dose, formulation and timing, so clinical monitoring of total and clinical effect is necessary.
