Androgens

Epistane

A designer steroid with documented human cholestasis and laboratory evidence of disrupted bile-acid handling.

Human injury series plus cultured human-hepatocyte experiments; evidence checked 2026-10-01

Also known as: Methylepitiostanol

Epistane molecular structure — Structure reference · C20H32OS

Practical use

Evidence interpretation and concrete review questions

Take symptoms seriously: Seek prompt assessment for jaundice, dark urine or substantial persistent itching.
Keep an exposure record: Bring all products, ingredient lists and dates, including recently stopped items.
Separate hazard from frequency: The evidence supports concern without a defensible percentage risk.

Cholestasis and bile-acid mechanisms

PubChem chemical identity; checked October 1, 2026

Overview

Epistane is a 17α-methylated epithio steroid, also described as methylepitiostanol. It should not be merged with epitiostanol without that methyl group. Its chemistry and receptor activity are more informative than supplement branding.

Risks and limitations

Four exposed individuals in the primary report developed prolonged cholestasis. Yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine and persistent itching after a steroid-containing product require medical assessment; symptom timing may extend beyond the last exposure.

How to read this

This is direct adverse-effect evidence, although a small case series cannot calculate how often injury occurs.

Research explained

Cholestasis and bile-acid mechanisms

Who was studied

Four affected individuals, detailed bile-acid profiles in three, and experiments in cultured human liver cells.

What was found

Patients had markedly increased conjugated bile acids. Cell work showed increased bile-acid synthesis-related expression and accumulation, with androgen-receptor involvement.