Non-steroidal SARMs
LGD-4033 vs S23 vs S4
The table compares the compounds’ key data from their entry pages. Open each compound’s full entry for details. Educational content, not medical advice.
| LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) | S23 (Most Potent SARM) | S4 (Andarine, GTx-007) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Non-steroidal SARM, Ligand Pharmaceuticals 2007. Phase I in healthy male subjects (Basaria 2013 PMID 23413266) – dose-dependent lean mass gain, moderate HPTA suppression. The second most famous SARM after RAD-140 on the bodybuilding market. 2017-2020 hepatotoxicity cases documented (Hilal 2020 PMID 32492288). WADA-banned S1.2. | Non-steroidal SARM, the MOST POTENT compound of the SARM class in in vivo AR-binding affinity (Jones 2009 PMID 19299500). Originally investigated as a male contraceptive candidate – REVERSIBLE azoospermia in rat trials (Jones 2010 PMID 20308559). In bodybuilding context FULL HPTA suppression + intense side effects. WADA-banned. | Non-steroidal SARM (Andarine, GTx-007), GTx Inc 2005. UNIQUE side effect: dose-dependent YELLOW VISION and night blindness (Marhefka 2004 PMID 15267281 – retinal opsin binding). On the bodybuilding market a 'fat-loss + cutting' SARM reputation. WADA-banned. |
| Mechanism | Non-steroidal selective AR modulator (pyrrolidinecarboxamide). Strong AR agonist in muscle, moderate prostate activity. | Non-steroidal selective AR modulator (aryl-propionamide). MOST POTENT SARM in AR binding affinity. | Non-steroidal selective AR modulator + UNIQUE retinal opsin binding (visual side effect) |
| Anabolic activity (Basaria 2013) | Dose-dependent lean mass gain: 1.21 kg @ 1 mg/day, 3 weeks, healthy men. | — | — |
| Half-life | ~24-36 h (oral) | ~12 h (oral) | ~4 h (oral, SHORT – requires 2-3x daily dosing) |
| Onset | 1-2 weeks (anecdotal strength gain) | 1-2 weeks | 1-2 weeks |
| Legal status | Never an Rx. UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2 since 2008. | Never an Rx (Phase I never started in humans). UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2. | Never an Rx (GTx deprioritized after Phase II in 2010). UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2. |
| Anabolic activity (Jones 2009) | — | ~95% testosterone-level in vivo (rat bioassay). Higher than RAD-140. | — |
| Anabolic activity (Gao 2005) | — | — | In rat bioassay anabolic activity ~60-70% Test-level (in vivo) |
| Full entry | Open → | Open → | Open → |
What it is
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)Non-steroidal SARM, Ligand Pharmaceuticals 2007. Phase I in healthy male subjects (Basaria 2013 PMID 23413266) – dose-dependent lean mass gain, moderate HPTA suppression. The second most famous SARM after RAD-140 on the bodybuilding market. 2017-2020 hepatotoxicity cases documented (Hilal 2020 PMID 32492288). WADA-banned S1.2.
S23 (Most Potent SARM)Non-steroidal SARM, the MOST POTENT compound of the SARM class in in vivo AR-binding affinity (Jones 2009 PMID 19299500). Originally investigated as a male contraceptive candidate – REVERSIBLE azoospermia in rat trials (Jones 2010 PMID 20308559). In bodybuilding context FULL HPTA suppression + intense side effects. WADA-banned.
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)Non-steroidal SARM (Andarine, GTx-007), GTx Inc 2005. UNIQUE side effect: dose-dependent YELLOW VISION and night blindness (Marhefka 2004 PMID 15267281 – retinal opsin binding). On the bodybuilding market a 'fat-loss + cutting' SARM reputation. WADA-banned.
Mechanism
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)Non-steroidal selective AR modulator (pyrrolidinecarboxamide). Strong AR agonist in muscle, moderate prostate activity.
S23 (Most Potent SARM)Non-steroidal selective AR modulator (aryl-propionamide). MOST POTENT SARM in AR binding affinity.
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)Non-steroidal selective AR modulator + UNIQUE retinal opsin binding (visual side effect)
Anabolic activity (Basaria 2013)
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)Dose-dependent lean mass gain: 1.21 kg @ 1 mg/day, 3 weeks, healthy men.
S23 (Most Potent SARM)—
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)—
Half-life
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)~24-36 h (oral)
S23 (Most Potent SARM)~12 h (oral)
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)~4 h (oral, SHORT – requires 2-3x daily dosing)
Onset
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)1-2 weeks (anecdotal strength gain)
S23 (Most Potent SARM)1-2 weeks
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)1-2 weeks
Legal status
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)Never an Rx. UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2 since 2008.
S23 (Most Potent SARM)Never an Rx (Phase I never started in humans). UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2.
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)Never an Rx (GTx deprioritized after Phase II in 2010). UGL 'research chemical'. WADA-banned S1.2.
Anabolic activity (Jones 2009)
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)—
S23 (Most Potent SARM)~95% testosterone-level in vivo (rat bioassay). Higher than RAD-140.
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)—
Anabolic activity (Gao 2005)
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)—
S23 (Most Potent SARM)—
S4 (Andarine, GTx-007)In rat bioassay anabolic activity ~60-70% Test-level (in vivo)