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Marketed as Parabolan, this anabolic steroid is actually an esterified version of trenbolone, and also known as Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate.
The base anabolic steroid, trenbolone, was first released in 1967 originally with just an acetate ester, a quick release compound which cleared the body quickly. The first longer acting esterified version was trenbolone undecanoate which was later copied in France when Trenbolone hexahydrobenzylcarbonate was created.
This French variant was released by Negma Laboratories under the brand name Parabolan, targeting the prescription market. This was the only variant which was granted approval for use in humans for a prolonged period. Trenbolone acetate held approval for human use for a very short period but it was quickly withdrawn and remains only licensed for veterinary use.
While it was on the market, it was used primarily as a drug to treat muscle wasting as well as being prescribed for osteoporosis and malnutrition.
This drug enjoyed huge success, particularly on the French market but due to the tightening global restrictions on the use of anabolic steroids the manufacturer, still, Negma Laboratories, opted to withdraw it from circulation in 1997.
Many anabolic steroids which were prone to being used illegally within sporting communities were withdrawn by their manufacturers, and this certainly influenced this drugs fate.
Since the manufacture of this steroid stopped in France it has become almost impossible to obtain a pharmaceutical grade of the drug from legal providers. However, demand for it has remained extremely high and this has led to a thriving underground supply.
Can it be Taken on its Own?
As it’s derived from Trenbolone, Parabolan is an extremely powerful anabolic steroid and while it is often used in a stack, it can also be used on its own to great effect.
It is particularly useful for promoting lean gains and adding a hardness to muscles which are already lean. However, unless it’s stacked with another anabolic steroid it won’t provide huge gains on its own.
This doesn’t mean there is no value, but as a general rule, this steroid is better for cutting than bulking when used unaccompanied.
Stacking Info
Although it can be used on its own, it’s more frequently added to a stack to get the maximum possible benefit.
As Parabolan can be used for both cutting and bulking, the drugs that are added to the stack depend on what the end aim is.
Primobolan, Masteron and Winstrol are often added for a cutting cycle while Trenbolone, Dianabol and Anadrol are often used with Parabolan for the purposes of bulking. Testosterone should be added to any stack to avoid suffering from sexual dysfunction. For a bulking cycle, a much higher dose of testosterone is normally used compared to a cutting cycle.
Stacking with Anavar can deliver significant increases in strength without piling on weight, while adding another more androgenic steroid can help to add more muscle.
How it is Administered
Parabolan is typically administered as an injection and due to the long life ester that’s attached, it only needs to be taken twice a week.
It is possible to take a full weekly dose just once per week but reports suggest that this can cause serum levels to dip and rise. By splitting the dose into two weekly injections, the serum levels can be kept more stable.
Parabolan is normally taken over an 8-10-week period.
Dosage Info
It is not generally considered to be a drug that is suitable for individuals who are completely new to using anabolic steroids, because of its potency. Therefore, the entry level dosage range is likely to still be too strong for those who aren’t used to anabolic steroids.
For those who have used steroids before but are new to Parabolan, dosages typically begin at around 152-220mg per week which equates to either half or one full ampoule. Very significant benefits can be seen at this dosage, particularly when the right training and diet regime is adhered to at the same time.
More experienced users of this drug may take 228-456mg per week, the equivalent of two ampoules.
The most advanced users could take in excess of 500mg but in many cases, this extremely high dose is not required for optimal results because of the sheer strength of Parabolan.
Half-life Info
Parabolan is an esterified version of Trenbolone, releasing more slowly into the body and eliminating the need for more frequent administration. The half-life of this compound is around 6 days.
For those taking this steroid prior to competition, at least five weeks will be required for the drug to completely clear the system.
Positive Effects
It is a very strong anabolic steroid and delivers a whole host of benefits to athletes.
For those who already have good bulk, this drug can help to harden the muscles and add definition. This is ideal for bodybuilders prior to a competition or in a cutting cycle.
This drug was previously used to treat muscle wasting and cachexia, primarily due to its superior protein synthesis and retention of nitrogen. Both of these factors help to build lean muscle while preventing catabolism.
The anabolic activity with Parabolan is also enhanced by the increased rate of red blood cell circulation. The high red blood cell count means that more oxygen is delivered to the body, helping to improve endurance. This allows for longer and more intense training and faster recovery.
Alongside increasing muscle, it has the added benefit of helping to burn fat. Many types of anabolic steroid can raise the metabolic rate, which Parabolan can also do.
However, unlike many other anabolic steroids, it can also directly influence the burning of fat via its ability to bind with the androgen receptor. The net result is a vastly increased fat burning rate while simultaneously increasing muscle.
This drug is still used within the veterinary industry, administered as Fina pellets to cattle not long before they are slaughtered. This is because tren hex has the ability to allow the body to process the nutrients in food far more efficiently making fats, carbohydrates and protein much more valuable gram for gram.
This benefit translates into use within humans too as it means that everything eaten will work much more effectively to feed the muscles and provide essential nutrients.
Potential Side Effects
Parabolan, being a form of Trenbolone, is one of the most powerful anabolic steroids, being five times stronger than testosterone. For this reason, it can cause side effects in some and isn’t recommended for those who have never used anabolic steroids before.
Androgenic Effects
It is a particularly strong androgenic drug and can affect men who are even moderately sensitive to it. Some of the effects that could be experienced include oily skin and excess body hair growth.
Acne can also be a problem but this tends to only occur in men who have a genetic tendency to develop it. In these cases, Parabolan can exacerbate the problem.
Keeping clean, staying dry and changing out of workout clothes quickly can help with skin problems and reduce the incidence of acne.
Estrogenic Effects
This compound has no estrogenic effect as it does not aromatize. This is of great advantage to bodybuilders looking to create a lean and ripped physique as there’s no risk of water retention and bloating. Because there is no aromatization, gynecomastia is also not an issue.
Cardiovascular
The lack of water retention means that raised blood pressure does not occur with Parabolan as a result of excess estrogen but nevertheless, there can be a very significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Any individual with a history of hypertension or raised cholesterol is not advised to commence this steroid. In addition, a healthy lifestyle is important while taking the steroid, with a diet which is rich in omega fatty acids and low in saturated fats.
Hair Loss
Because the androgenic effects of Parabolan are so strong, there is a risk of hair loss amongst those that take the drug.
However, male pattern hair loss will only occur in those who have the gene for it. Rather than causing the hair loss, Parabolan will simply accelerate the process. Once hair loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed even after use of the steroid has been stopped.
Some other androgenic steroids benefit from the use of finasteride to counteract the actions within the body and to prevent the hair loss from being triggered. This will not work with this drug because there is no interaction with the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme.
Liver Toxicity
Parabolan is generally not believed to be a hepatotoxic steroid and is not linked to any side effects at a regular dose. It’s possible that when taken in a very high dose for a prolonged period there may be a degree of toxicity but this effect is not typically expected.
Other Effects
In addition to all of the above effects, this steroid can also cause a number of other issues, predominantly insomnia, rapid heartbeat, anxiety and night sweats. In some individuals, these side effects can be severe and can render the steroid incompatible with use.
For those that have never used a trenbolone derivative before, trenbolone acetate is a better steroid to begin with. This is because it is essentially the same steroid but with a different ester attached. Tren acetate has a much shorter acting ester which means if there are any adverse effects they will be out of the system much more quickly.
Contraindications
Parabolan side effects can be a problem for some users, but in others, the drug should not be taken at all.
Anyone with a history of any of the following conditions should refrain from taking tren hex without first obtaining medical advice:
• Testicular atrophy
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Breast cancer
• Impaired liver function
• Renal disease or dysfunction
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular disease
• Respiratory problems
Is this Steroid Best Suited to Cutting, Bulking or Both?
Parabolan is a very versatile steroid and can be used for both cutting and bulking.
When used on its own it won’t provide significant gains but it can still be of value during a bulking cycle. Added to a stack it can help to consolidate gains, hardening muscle and increasing strength, as well as providing a greater capacity for intense training.
It excels in a cutting cycle, even when used solo. Without any aromatizing effects, trenbolone hex won’t retain water or lead to soft muscles.
This compound can help to supplement any training regime, protect muscles from atrophy during calorific restriction and assist in promoting lean, hard muscle growth.
Is it Safe for Women to Use?
It is not recommended for use in women at any dose, due to the extremely high risk of virilization. This is due to the fact that this is a very androgenic steroid.
Type of PCT Needed After the End of the Cycle
Like any anabolic steroid, PCT is essential to help the body return to normal function. This is the case even if testosterone has been taken during the cycle because the body will suppress natural production while it is being supplemented.
Nolvadex or Clomid are often used as part of the PCT and will support the body to return to producing testosterone naturally once more.
Typical Cost to Buy
It is no longer possible to buy Parabolan on the open market in the US, nor can it be prescribed by a physician. The steroid can still be obtained but only from the black market or underground labs.
Because the steroid was discontinued on the human market by Negma in 1997, the chances are that anyone claiming to be selling pharmaceutical grade Parabolan is somewhat suspect and should be avoided at all costs.
Purchasing from underground sources is likely to cost in the region of $130-170 per vial at a strength of 100mg/ml.
Sports That Use it
Parabolan is an anabolic steroid which is used extensively in many sports, because of its ability to promote lean muscle without adding soft, watery bulk.
In bodybuilding, this steroid is used within both cutting and bulking cycles, but most commonly in the former. Using it for cutting adds a hardness and definition to muscles which are already lean.
However, the other positive effects mean that it’s possible to train harder, and muscles can recover more quickly. This is beneficial for many different sports which is why it’s such a popular performance-enhancing drug.
The recent IAAF ban on Russia included evidence of athletes using Parabolan, and there have been a number of previous cases of the steroid being used in athletics.
Legality of Purchase and its Usage in the US
All anabolic steroids are classified as a Schedule III drug and considered to be a controlled substance. This means that the use and possession of anabolic steroids such as Parabolan are very tightly regulated.
Although this steroid was licensed for use in humans, it is no longer produced on a pharmaceutical level and as such, it will not be prescribed by any doctor to legitimately treat a medical condition.
It is possible to procure this compound on the black market but this will still fall under the jurisdiction of the law.
In the US the law on anabolic steroids is particularly strict and it is an offense to not just distribute the drug, but also to possess it for personal use too. The penalty for this can be a hefty fine or even imprisonment, although the latter is unlikely in most cases.
In other countries around the world, Parabolan can be purchased more easily from underground labs without the individual committing a criminal offense. Canada and the UK are such countries. These drugs cannot be brought back into the US without the individual facing the possibility of prosecution.