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Dietary supplement

Epistane Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by German Pharmaceuticals

Epistane label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Epistane against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Epistane is a dietary supplement by German Pharmaceuticals with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for building muscle mass, increasing strength, cutting or losing body fat.Based on those ingredients, 370 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are 2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 23, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Epistane contains one active ingredient: 2a,3a-epithio-17a-methyl-etioallocholan-17b-ol, a 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic androgenic steroid. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — gelatin, dextrin, methylcellulose, silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate — which are fillers and binders that help deliver the active compound.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Epistane's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: increase lean mass strength and fat loss.
  • We looked for evidence on: Athletic performance, Exercise-induced muscle damage, Muscle strength, Obesity, body composition, muscle hypertrophy — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Epistane is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Athletic performance (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Epistane is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Muscle strength, Obesity, Exercise-induced muscle damage.

The evidence we hold does not establish that epistane is effective for athletic performance, muscle strength, erectile dysfunction, sexual arousal, or obesity. All of these uses are rated insufficient reliable evidence to rate — meaning the data either does not exist or is too limited to make a claim.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Epistane

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Epistane is a liver-toxic anabolic steroid and is not approved as a safe dietary supplement; it is banned for sale in that category. The compound is structurally similar to epitiostanol, which has been tied to severe liver injury, jaundice, and itching in documented cases — some patients did not respond to standard treatment.

It must not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because of potential harm to a developing baby or nursing infant.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Epistane

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Epistane.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 371 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medications that can damage the liver (hepatotoxic drugs). This is a Moderate-severity concern because epistane itself can stress liver function, and combining it with other liver-damaging agents amplifies the risk.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is an anabolic steroid, not a standard dietary supplement, and carries serious liver-toxicity risks. It is banned for sale as a dietary supplement and poses particular concern if you take other medications that affect liver function.

Do not consider this product without a detailed conversation with your own doctor or pharmacist about the safety profile and your individual health situation.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 22, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Epistane, straight from the product label.

Brand German Pharmaceuticals
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 22, 2019
DSLD ID 209977
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol20 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Dextrin, Methylcellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Increases lean mass, strength, fat loss and hardness.

Formula

20 mg 2a 3-epithio-17a-methyl-5a-androstan-17b-ol

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Epistane label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol

Interacts with
370 drugs
20 mg per serving

Epistane is a synthetic anabolic steroid (a methylated 'designer steroid'), not a true dietary supplement or herb, even though it has been sold as a '...

2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Dextrin, Methylcellulose, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Epistane?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
370Drugs
370 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol 370

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Epistane interact with 370 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Epistane interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. 2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Epistane with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol1 drug type · 370 drugs

Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use might have additive adverse hepatotoxic effects.
Epistane is an anabolic androgenic steroid, and more specifically a 17-alpha-alkylated androgen. Therefore, there is concern that epistane has hepatotoxic effects. Also, epistane is structurally similar to epitiostanol, which has been associated with hepatotixicity in a case series of four patients.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
2a,3a-Epithio-17a-Methyl-Etioallocholan-17B-Ol full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Epistane, from the product label.

German Pharmaceuticals

See all German Pharmaceuticals products
Name
German Pharmaceuticals
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals: Common Questions

Does Epistane by German Pharmaceuticals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Epistane has a known interaction with 370 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Epistane contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take epistane if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. The safety data advises against epistane during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because anabolic steroids can harm a developing baby or nursing infant. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe alternatives.
Does epistane really work for building muscle?
The evidence we hold rates epistane as having insufficient reliable evidence for muscle strength, athletic performance, and related uses. There isn't enough established data to confirm it works for those purposes.
What is epistane, exactly?
Epistane is a 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic androgenic steroid — a synthetic compound related to testosterone. It is not a standard dietary supplement and is banned for sale in that category because of liver-toxicity concerns.
Why is epistane banned?
Epistane is banned for sale as a dietary supplement because it is a liver-toxic anabolic steroid. It is structurally similar to a compound (epitiostanol) that caused severe liver injury, jaundice, and itching in a documented case series, with some patients not responding to standard treatment.
What are the main side effects I should know about?
The biggest concern is liver toxicity — damage to liver function, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), and itching. Because epistane is a 17-alpha-alkylated steroid, it carries this risk inherently. If you take other medications that can damage the liver, the risk rises further.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Epistane label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Epistane’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Epistane

Interacts with 370 drugs

Epistane is a synthetic anabolic steroid (a methylated 'designer steroid'), not a true dietary supplement or herb, even though it has been sold as a 'prohormone.' It is liver-toxic, can disr...

Read the full Epistane monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Epistane's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 3 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Epistane 3 references
  1. Joseph JF, Parr MK. Synthetic androgens as designer supplements. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):89-100. PubMed
  2. Rahnema CD, Crosnoe LE, Kim ED. Designer steroids - over-the-counter supplements and their androgenic component: review of an increasing problem. Andrology. 2015;3(2):150-5. PubMed
  3. Díaz FC, Sáez-González E, Benlloch S, et al. Albumin dialysis with MARS for the treatment of anabolic steroid-induced cholestasis. Ann Hepatol. 2016;15(6):939-943.

See these in context on the Epistane monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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