Nandrolone Dosage for Burn Patients
For burn patients, nandrolone decanoate should be administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg every other day to safely combat catabolism and preserve lean body mass.
Evidence for Nandrolone Use in Burns
The most recent and highest quality evidence comes from a 2022 prospective randomized controlled study that specifically investigated nandrolone decanoate in burn patients with injuries ranging from 20-40% total body surface area 1. This study demonstrated that nandrolone decanoate effectively:
- Preserved lean body mass
- Maintained protein partition
- Achieved near-normal nitrogen balance
- Safely combated the hypercatabolic impact of burn injury
Dosing Recommendations
Based on the available evidence:
- Dose: 5 mg/kg
- Frequency: Every other day
- Patient population: Burn patients with 20-40% total body surface area burns
- Duration: Throughout treatment period until full recovery
Mechanism of Action and Benefits
Nandrolone decanoate works as a potent anabolic steroid that counteracts the severe catabolic state triggered by burn injuries. This hypermetabolic state is characterized by:
- Accelerated protein breakdown
- Negative nitrogen balance
- Loss of lean muscle mass
- Impaired wound healing
Alternative Anabolic Agents
If nandrolone is unavailable, oxandrolone has also shown efficacy in burn patients:
- Oxandrolone dosing: 0.1 mg/kg orally twice daily 2, 3, 4
- Oxandrolone has been shown to improve lean body mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density in severely burned children 4
- When combined with exercise, oxandrolone provides additional benefits for rehabilitation 2
Nutritional Considerations
Anabolic therapy should be combined with appropriate nutritional support:
- Protein intake of 1.5-2 g/kg/day is recommended for burn patients 5
- For burns >20% body surface area, additional enteral glutamine (0.3-0.5 g/kg/day) should be administered for 10-15 days 5
Monitoring Parameters
During nandrolone therapy, monitor:
- Lean body mass changes
- Nitrogen balance
- Liver function tests
- Serum electrolytes
- Wound healing progress
Cautions and Contraindications
- Monitor liver function as anabolic steroids may affect hepatic enzymes
- Use with caution in patients with pre-existing liver disease
- Consider potential androgenic side effects, although research suggests limited effects on sexual glands at therapeutic doses 6
Duration of Therapy
Continue nandrolone therapy throughout the acute recovery phase until the patient shows:
- Improved nitrogen balance
- Stabilization of lean body mass
- Adequate wound healing progress
- Resolution of the hypermetabolic state
The evidence supports that nandrolone decanoate is both safe and effective for combating the catabolic effects of burn injuries when used at appropriate doses.