Please read the full prescription insert for known side effects, precautions, or warnings. Are you looking for non-steroid or over-the-counter options? However, its effectiveness comes with substantial risks, including liver toxicity, hormonal imbalances, and cardiovascular issues. Here is what bodybuilders should know about the steroid before commencing its use. It’s often used for bulking cycles due to its affordability and effectiveness. Dianabol was designed to have reduced androgenic activity compared to testosterone, with an androgenic rating of around 60, while having a much higher anabolic effect that can potentially be twice that of testosterone. This led to Dbol becoming a favored steroid for bodybuilders of the "golden era" throughout the 1970s, thanks to its ability to quickly promote massive gains in muscle. Dianabol is the most well-known brand name for the anabolic steroid Metandienone6.