Epistane - What to expect? How to cycle? + personal considerations

Methylepitiostanol (common known as: Epistane / Epi / Havoc) [chemical formula: 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol] - is a methylated orally active derivative of Epitiostanol (contains 17-alpha alkylated group. It means that it has a high potential for hepatotoxicity- will worsen the liver condition. How to defend the liver? I explained it in this article: https://www.patreon.com/posts/liver-defense-24565046 ).

Epistane belongs to the dihydrotestosterone-derivatives group. Epi binds to androgen receptors in stem cells and skeletal muscle cells. As a result, it may firmly increase protein synthesis, strength, and muscle growth potential. Like almost all of the DHT-derivatives, it decreases the ability to create fat cells, leading to reduced body fat. It has quite mild androgenic effects but still won't be recommended for women.

To sum up. Epi will:

- help to build lean muscle mass

- support fat burn process

- increase protein synthesis

- improve vascularization

- increase strength

- block estrogenic-like properties (has anti-estrogenic abilities, but won't reduce its level)

- increase libido

On the other hand, epi will:

- mildly block HPTA (hypothalamus-pituitary-testis-axis)

- suppress testosterone production

- mildly dry out joints (like almost all of DHT-derivatives)

- if ran solo during a longer cycle (over 4 weeks) - reduce sex drive, worsen the state of being

- /may induce back-pumps

- increase blood pressure

How to cycle?

At first, I will pin down that it is best to run epistane along with testosterone. Nonetheless, in singular cases may be cycled solo. Average it should be cycled at least 4/5 weeks to bring its positive effects, but no longer than 8 weeks due to its hepatotoxicity.

There are several basic schemas to cycle epi:

1. 20mg/30/30/30/30

2. 20mg/30/40/40/40

3. 30mg/30/40/40/40

Its dosage shouldn't exceed 40-50mg per single day. Due to its short half-life (depends on the source, 3-6h), it should be taken at least 2x a day at a different time of the day as all of methylated substances epistane must be taken right after a meal (never before on "empty stomach").

I do not recommend taking it cyclically, like e.g., Metanabol (1 month on - 1 month off), as it is too short for epistane to induce significant positive side effects, but will still put grain on the liver. Its greatest effects usually appear after 3-4 weeks.

On cycle support:

It is very necessary to properly defend the liver during the cycle. Therefore, I recommend taking at least 1.5g of NAC per day (not taking near training sessions as it is a strong antioxidant). It will also be adequate to supplement omega 3 acid (at least 1g of EPA and DHA per day), garlic extract/astragalus root in pills (to prevent increased blood pressure), and a good quality joint protector.

IMPORTANT! Don't use any liver defender based on silymarin (e.g. milk thistle)! It is proved that silymarin will reduce oral AAS effects by almost 50%.

PCT (if solo)

It may be necessary to do a pct after the epistane solo cycle. Presumably, the testosterone level will be reduced almost under the labolatory range (or much under - it depends on dosages and cycle length) and also FSH (not necessarily LH). That's why it is essential to start with blood tests (at least Testosterone/Estradiol/Fsh/Lh, ALT, AST, GGTP).

Standard pct protocol after epi solo cycle:

Nolvadex/Tamoxifen 20/20/10/10

A good quality testosterone booster (may be based on armistane)

That's, only the standard protocol - PCT must be chosen adequately to blood test results! (every organism may react differently on the same substance / it is often a puzzle which substance truly is in pills)

If the liver is in good condition after the cycle, you may stop using NAC in high doses and cycle only 500mg/day. If it is in bad condition, then you may additionally use Tudca or another very potent substances I've mentioned here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/liver-defense-24565046

I still do not recommend cycling epistane solo without an inj. Testosterone base. Same as all other prohormones / oral AAS!