Andriol (testosterone undecanoate)

Andriolis a unique oral testosterone product, developed by the internationaldrug firm Organon. One of the more recently developed anabolicsteroids, Andriol first became available in the early 1980's. Thiscompound contains 40 mg of testosterone undecanoate, based in oil(oleic acid) and sealed inside a capsule. Subtracting the ester weight,this equates to a dosage of approximately 25mg of raw testosterone percap. The design of this steroid is quite different from that of mostoral steroids. Drugs administered orally generally enter the bloodstream through the liver. When a steroid compound is given this waywithout some form of structural protection, it will be quickly brokendown during the "first pass". This process leaves very little steroidintact, basically deactivating the drug. Adding a methyl group (c-17AA) to the structure is one way to protect it from this process,however stress is also placed on the liver as a result. In someinstances this stress can lead to actual damage to liver tissues, sothe designers of this steroid sought another way to protect thetestosterone molecule. With Andriol, this was accomplished by making aform of testosterone that would be absorbed through the lymphaticsystem. This is due to its high fat solubility brought about by theester, and its suspension in oil. Having the compound absorbed this waywas thought to be very advantageous, as it allows the steroid to bypassthe destructive first-pass through liver. This should permit thecompound to enter the blood stream intact, without the need for a harshchemical alteration. The ester breaks off once it is in circulation ofcourse, yielding free active Pharmacokinetics of Orai Testosteronetestosterone. In design this steroid appears to be undecanoate that ofa completely liver safe and orally active form of testosterone.