What other medications are currently available that are used in place of nandrolone decanoate?

Anabolic steroids or testosterone-like medications [aren't typically used for anemia anymore](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10740670/), because there are newer medications available. [Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)](https://www.goodrx.com/classes/erythropoiesis-stimulating-agents), like [Epogen (epoetin alfa)](https://www.goodrx.com/procrit/what-is) and [Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa)](https://www.goodrx.com/aranesp/what-is), are available and commonly used today to treat anemia from kidney problems.

nandrolone decanoate

Q: What is nandrolone decanoate?

Nandrolone decanoate is an injectable medication for managing anemia in people with kidney problems. Your kidneys typically make a protein called [erythropoietin (EPO)](https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/erythropoietin/), which tells your [bone marrow](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/bone-marrow) to make [red blood cells](https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/red-blood-cells.html). People with kidney problems can't make enough EPO, so the body can't make enough red blood cells, leading to anemia. Nandrolone decanoate is an anabolic steroid, which is a lab-made form of [testosterone](https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/testosterone/). Testosterone helps [raises your red blood cell count](https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00184.2014) by stimulating (turning on) EPO activity.

Q: Is nandrolone decanoate still available?

No, nandrolone decanoate has been [discontinued](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=013132) and is no longer available in the United States. It's not clear why the medication was discontinued, but it [wasn't due to reasons related to safety or how well it works](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2010/08/10/2010-19698/determination-that-deca-durabolin-nandrolone-decanoate-injection-200-milligramsmilliliter-1).

Generic Deca-Durabolin

Used for Anemia, Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis

Nandrolone decanoate is a medication used to treat anemia (low red blood cell count) in people with kidney problems. It's no longer available in the United States, because it was discontinued.

Reviewed by:

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP

Cydnee Ng, PharmD

Last reviewed on August 1, 2022

Nandrolone decanoate is a controlled substance, which means that it's more likely to be misused or cause dependence. There are federal and state laws that limit the amount of medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.

What is Nandrolone decanoate?

What is Nandrolone decanoate used for?

Anemia due to kidney problems

Are you looking for information on oxandrolone instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Deca-Durabolin(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	Anabolic steroid
Controlled Substance Classification	Schedule III
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Deca-Durabolin(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

Anabolic steroid

Controlled Substance Classification

Schedule III

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Nandrolone Decanoate

Nandrolone Decanoate is an injectable medication for managing anemia in people with kidney problems. Your kidneys typically make a protein called erythropoietin (EPO), which tells your bone marrow to make red blood cells. People with kidney problems can't make enough EPO, so the body can't make enough red blood cells, leading to anemia. Nandrolone Decanoate is an anabolic steroid, which is a lab-made form of testosterone. Testosterone helps raises your red blood cell count by stimulating (turning on) EPO activity.

No, Nandrolone Decanoate has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. It's not clear why the medication was discontinued, but it wasn't due to reasons related to safety or how well it works.

Anabolic steroids or testosterone-like medications aren't typically used for anemia anymore, because there are newer medications available. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), like Epogen (epoetin alfa) and Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), are available and commonly used today to treat anemia from kidney problems.