Oxandrolone (Oxandrolone (Anavar))
A mild oral anabolic steroid with a favorable safety profile, prescribed for muscle wasting, severe burns, and weight regain. Popular in biohacker circles for body recomposition with minimal androgenic side effects.
How it works
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.
Key facts
- Molecular weight: 306.44 Da
- Half-life: ~9 hours
- Bioavailability: ~97% oral
- Storage: Room temperature. Protect from moisture.
Dosing overview
- Typical dose: 10-20 mg (therapeutic); 20-50 mg (performance)
- Frequency: Split 2x daily
- Duration: 6-8 weeks
- Route: Oral
Reported benefits
- Lean muscle gain without water retention
- Increased strength
- Fat loss (visceral)
- Wound healing acceleration
- Minimal estrogenic effects
- Improved bone density
Possible side effects
- Lipid disruption (HDL decrease)
- Mild liver stress
- Testosterone suppression
- Hair thinning (rare)
- Virilization in women (high doses)
Research
- Oxandrolone for burn recovery (2020): Reduced hospital stay by 18% and improved lean mass recovery in severe burn patients over 12-week protocol.
- Low-dose oxandrolone and body composition (2019): 20mg/day for 12 weeks produced 3.5kg lean mass gain with 2.1kg fat loss in sarcopenic elderly without significant hepatotoxicity.
Compare Oxandrolone
Community discussions about Oxandrolone
- Oxandrolone and lipid changes, anyone else seeing big HDL drops? - 4 comments
- Liver stress and lipids on oxandrolone - 4 comments
- Concerns about lipid changes with oxandrolone - 6 comments
- Anyone notice HDL dip or liver tweaks on low-dose Oxandrolone? - 4 comments
- Noticed HDL drop after a low dose Oxandrolone cycle – any similar labs? - 4 comments
- Ask the community about Oxandrolone
Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.