Anavar (Oxandrolone)
Oxandrolone, FDA-approved oral AAS for burn injury and HIV cachexia. Mildly hepatotoxic 17α-alkylated, often called a female-friendly steroid.
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DETAILED OVERVIEW
What is Anavar (Oxandrolone)?
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a DHT-derivative 17α-alkylated oral AAS synthesized by Searle in 1964. Anabolic:androgenic ratio 320:24, indicating high muscle-building and low androgenic side-effect profile. FDA-approved clinical indications: severe burn recovery, HIV-associated cachexia, Turner syndrome short stature, idiopathic osteoporosis. The 17α-alkylation causes hepatotoxicity (ALT/AST rise), but significantly milder than Dianabol or Superdrol. Does not aromatize, no E2 side effects. WADA-banned in sports.
Mechanism
AR agonist, 17α-alkylated, no aromatization
Anabolic:Androgenic
320:24
Half-life
9 hours
Onset
1-2 h (oral)
Legal status
FDA Rx (Oxandrin), WADA banned
Anavar has a reputation as 'mild,' but anecdotal reports caution that mild does not mean weak – pound for pound it can be surprisingly potent for physique changes, especially hardness, fullness, and strength. Users describe a clean performance-enhancement feel rather than a dramatic hormonal effect. Pumps can become intense, sometimes nearly debilitating during training, due to intracellular volumization. A recurring observation is that strength gains often exceed bodyweight gains, which is part of why athletes historically favored it. Major tradeoff: despite the mild reputation, Anavar is known to crush HDL and worsen LDL significantly. As a 17α-alkylated oral it carries hepatic strain and contributes to HPTA suppression even when it doesn't 'feel' suppressive. Being DHT-derived, accelerated hair loss is possible in genetically prone users. Mechanistically Anavar functions more as a nutrient-partitioning and tissue-preservation drug than a classic mass-builder, performing well in cuts but also during lean-bulk phases.
⚠ Not clinical evidence – based on user accounts.
Data console
Lab data
Sheffield-Moore M, Urban RJ, Wolf SE et al. . Short-term oxandrolone administration stimulates net muscle protein synthesis in young men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84(8):2705-11..
Berger JR, Pall L, Hall CD et al. . Oxandrolone in the treatment of HIV-associated weight loss in men. AIDS. 1996;10(14):1657-62..
Jeschke MG, Finnerty CC, Suman OE, Kulp G, Mlcak RP, Herndon DN. . The effect of oxandrolone on the endocrinologic, inflammatory, and hypermetabolic responses during the acute phase postburn. Ann Surg. 2007;246(3):351-60..
Sheanon NM, Backeljauw PF . Effect of oxandrolone therapy on adult height in Turner syndrome patients treated with growth hormone: a meta-analysis. Int J Pediatr Endocrinol. 2015;2015(1):18..
Pope HG Jr, Wood RI, Rogol A et al. . Adverse health consequences of performance-enhancing drugs. Endocr Rev. 2014;35(3):341-75..
Schroeder ET, Singh A, Bhasin S, Storer TW et al. . Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003;284(1):E120-128..
Hartgens F, Kuipers H. . Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports Med. 2004;34(8):513-554..
Safety
Side effects, stop signs, contraindications
Side effects · 7
- Severe lipid deterioration: drastic HDL drop (up to 30-50%) and LDL rise; oral 17-alpha-alkylated AAS hit lipids harder than many injectables, raising cardiovascular/atherosclerosis risk.
- Hepatotoxicity: dose-dependent transaminase (ALT/AST) elevation and cholestasis risk from the 17-alpha-alkylated structure; milder than Dianabol or Superdrol, but liver monitoring is still mandatory.
- HPTA suppression and reduced fertility: dose-dependent inhibition of natural testosterone production (40-60% after 6 weeks), suppressed spermatogenesis; PCT (Clomid/Nolvadex) may be needed for recovery.
- Virilization in women: voice deepening, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement, menstrual disturbances; above 10 mg/day and beyond 6 weeks these can become IRREVERSIBLE, stop immediately at any sign.
- Androgenic effects: acne-prone skin, increased sebum, and accelerated hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in genetically predisposed users, since oxandrolone is a DHT derivative.
- Elevated blood pressure and altered glucose handling: AAS can cause hypertension; oxandrolone improves glucose sensitivity, which can cause hypoglycemia alongside insulin/antidiabetics.
- Increased INR with warfarin: oxandrolone potentiates oral anticoagulants, with significant bleeding risk; dose reduction and close INR monitoring are required.
Contraindications · 7
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: virilization and teratogenic risk to the fetus, absolute contraindication.
- Prostate or breast carcinoma (or breast cancer with hypercalcemia): androgenic stimulation can worsen hormone-sensitive tumors.
- Pre-existing liver disease or elevated liver enzymes: hepatitis B/C, fatty liver, cholestasis, ALT/AST >2x normal; the 17-alpha-alkylation adds further hepatic injury.
- Severe cardiovascular disease: uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure or pre-existing dyslipidemia, since Anavar further worsens the lipid profile.
- Concurrent warfarin/oral anticoagulant therapy without close monitoring: unpredictable INR rise and bleeding hazard.
- Planned fatherhood in the near future: HPTA suppression and reduced spermatogenesis, with recovery that can take months.
- Severe renal impairment or hypercalcemia: AAS can cause fluid retention and calcium metabolism disturbance.
Related Performance Compounds
Same therapeutic category
Studies
Related research and clinical findings
Short-term oxandrolone administration stimulates net muscle protein synthesis in young men
Sheffield-Moore M, Urban RJ, Wolf SE et al.
Oxandrolone in the treatment of HIV-associated weight loss in men
Berger JR, Pall L, Hall CD et al.
The effect of oxandrolone on the endocrinologic, inflammatory, and hypermetabolic responses during the acute phase postburn
Jeschke MG, Finnerty CC, Suman OE, Kulp G, Mlcak RP, Herndon DN.
Effect of oxandrolone therapy on adult height in Turner syndrome patients treated with growth hormone: a meta-analysis
Sheanon NM, Backeljauw PF
Adverse health consequences of performance-enhancing drugs
Pope HG Jr, Wood RI, Rogol A et al.
Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men
Schroeder ET, Singh A, Bhasin S, Storer TW et al.
Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes
Hartgens F, Kuipers H.
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The information here is for educational and scientific purposes only. Performance-enhancing compounds (AAS, prohormones, stimulants, doping agents) are illegal without prescription in Hungary and most of the EU, and carry serious health and legal risks. WADA bans them in competitive sport. This is NOT a usage guide, and we do not encourage any illegal use. If you do use them, medical supervision and regular bloodwork are ESSENTIAL. Severe endocrine, cardiovascular, hepatic and psychiatric side effects are possible.