Oxandrolone vs Pregnenolone
A side-by-side research comparison of Oxandrolone and Pregnenolone across mechanism, dosing, half-life, benefits, side effects and research status.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Oxandrolone | Pregnenolone |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Oxandrolone (Anavar) | Pregnenolone (Mother Hormone) |
| Category | Hormone Replacement | Hormone Replacement |
| Status | FDA Approved (Schedule III) | OTC supplement / Prescribed |
| Mechanism | Binds androgen receptors with high anabolic:androgenic ratio (~10:1). Does not aromatize to estrogen. Increases nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, and phosphocreatine resynthesis while reducing SHBG. | Acts as the primary substrate for steroidogenesis (cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen). Also functions as a neurosteroid, enhancing memory and NMDA receptor activity. |
| Molecular weight | 306.44 Da | 316.48 Da |
| Half-life | ~9 hours | ~1-3 hours (oral) |
| Bioavailability | ~97% oral | ~60% oral |
| Typical dose | 10-20 mg (therapeutic); 20-50 mg (performance) | 50-100 mg |
| Frequency | Split 2x daily | Daily (morning) |
| Route | Oral | Oral capsule or sublingual |
Oxandrolone reported benefits
- Lean muscle gain without water retention
- Increased strength
- Fat loss (visceral)
- Wound healing acceleration
- Minimal estrogenic effects
- Improved bone density
Pregnenolone reported benefits
- Hormone precursor balance
- Memory enhancement
- Mood improvement
- Joint support
- Myelin sheath repair
- Stress resilience
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Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.