Deca Durabolin contraindications and precautions for use

Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) is an injectable anabolic preparation. The pharmacologically active substance is nandrolone. The decanoate ester gives the preparation a duration of action of about three weeks after injection. Nandrolone is chemically related to the male hormone. Compared to testosterone, it has an enhanced anabolic and a reduced androgenic activity. It is used for osteoporosis, for the palliative treatment of selected cases of disseminated mammary carcinoma in women, as an adjunct to specific therapies and dietary measures in pathologic conditions characterized by a negative nitrogen balance.

Deca Durabolin is contraindicated in pregnancy, known or suspected carcinoma of the prostate or breast in the male. This medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy because of possible masculinization of the foetus. There are insufficient data on the use of this medicine during breast-feeding to assess potential harm to the infant or a possible influence on milk production. Women with disseminated breast carcinoma should have frequent determination of urine and serum calcium levels during the course of anabolic therapy.

If children are treated, periodic (every six months) X-ray examinations of bone age should be made during treatment to determine the rate of bone maturation and the effects of anabolic therapy on the epiphyseal centers. Because of the hepatotoxicity associated with the use of 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroids, liver function tests should be obtained periodically.

Patients, especially the elderly, with the following conditions should be monitored:

• latent or overt cardiac failure, renal dysfunction, hypertension, epilepsy or migraine (or a history of these conditions), since anabolic steroids may occasionally induce sodium and water retention;
• incomplete statural growth, since anabolic steroids in high dosages may accelerate epiphyseal closure;
• skeletal metastases, since anabolic steroids may induce hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria in these patients;
• liver dysfunction - caution should be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment and Deca Durabolin should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks;
• diabetes mellitus.

Deca Durabolin contains Arachis oil (peanut oil) and should not be taken/applied by patients known to be allergic to peanut. As there is a possible relationship between allergy to peanut and allergy to Soya, patients with Soya allergy should also avoid Deca Durabolin.