Stanozolol

Stanozolol, commonly known by its brand name Winstrol, is a synthetic anabolic androgenic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It was first synthesized in 1959 and introduced clinically in the early 1960s by Winthrop Laboratories (now part of Pfizer). Initially, it was approved for various medical applications, including treating osteoporosis, promoting growth in children, and managing aplastic anemia and hereditary angioedema. As an anabolic steroid, stanozolol promotes tissue building, which can lead to increased lean body mass and bone density. However, its use has become highly restricted due to potential adverse effects and its classification as a controlled substance in many countries. Today, its legitimate medical use is very limited, primarily for hereditary angioedema, where it can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks by increasing C1-esterase inhibitor levels. In other contexts, its use is often non-medical and considered illicit. (MedlinePlus, DrugBank)