All About Oxandrolone

The following content comes from the book "Anabolics 2010"

Oxandrolone: An Overview​

Description​

Oxandrolone is an oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. It was designed to have a strong separation of anabolic and androgenic effects, with no significant estrogenic or progestational activity. Known for being a mild oral steroid, it is widely used for promoting strength and quality muscle gains without major side effects. Milligram for milligram, it exhibits up to six times the anabolic activity of testosterone while maintaining significantly lower androgenicity.

This drug is particularly favored by dieting bodybuilders and athletes in speed/anaerobic sports due to its ability to promote pure muscle tissue gain without fat or water retention.

History​

Early Development​

Oxandrolone was first described in 1962 and later developed into a pharmaceutical product by G.D. Searle & Co. (now Pfizer). It was marketed under the trade name Anavar in the U.S. and the Netherlands, with various other names in different countries, including:

• Lonavar (Argentina, Australia)
• Lipidex (Brazil)
• Antitriol (Spain)
• Anatrophill (France)
• Protivar

The drug was designed as a mild anabolic steroid, safe for use by women and children. Initially, Anavar was prescribed for various medical conditions, including lean tissue growth after surgery, trauma, infection, and osteoporosis.

Discontinuation and Reintroduction​

By the 1980s, the FDA refined oxandrolone's approved uses to include weight gain following surgery, chronic infections, trauma, or unexplained weight loss. However, due to declining sales and growing concerns over anabolic steroid abuse, Searle voluntarily discontinued Anavar on July 1, 1989, removing oxandrolone from U.S. pharmacies.

After several years of absence, oxandrolone returned to the market in December 1995 under the name Oxandrin, produced by Bio-Technology General Corp. (BTG). The company secured orphan drug status for treating AIDS wasting, alcoholic hepatitis, Turner’s syndrome in girls, and delayed puberty in boys, leading to high drug pricing. Generic versions later reduced costs.

Today, Oxandrin is sold under the Savient label, with FDA approval for various conditions. Generic oxandrolone is available in the U.S. and some international markets.

How Supplied​

Oxandrolone is available in select human drug markets with varying compositions and dosages depending on the manufacturer and country:

• Original Anavar: 2.5 mg per tablet
• Oxandrin: 2.5 mg or 10 mg per tablet
• Other brands: Typically 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg per tablet

Structural Characteristics​

Oxandrolone is a modified dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative with two key alterations:

1. Addition of a 17-alpha methyl group – protects the hormone during oral administration.
2. Substitution of carbon-2 in the A-ring with an oxygen atom – increases anabolic potency by making the compound more resistant to muscle metabolism.

Oxandrolone is the only commercially available steroid with this unique alteration, enhancing its anabolic strength while reducing androgenic effects.

Side Effects​

Estrogenic Side Effects​

Oxandrolone does not aromatize in the body and has no measurable estrogenic activity. Consequently, users do not experience gynecomastia or water retention, making it an excellent choice for cutting cycles.

Androgenic Side Effects​

Although oxandrolone has low androgenic activity, some users may experience:

• Oily skin and acne
• Increased facial/body hair growth
• Acceleration of male pattern baldness (in those genetically predisposed)

Women using oxandrolone should be aware of possible virilizing effects, including voice deepening, menstrual irregularities, skin texture changes, facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement.

Hepatotoxicity (Liver Toxicity)​

Oxandrolone is a C17-alpha alkylated steroid, which means it is resistant to liver breakdown. However, prolonged or high doses can cause liver damage.

Studies indicate oxandrolone is less hepatotoxic than other oral steroids, with about one-third of the drug excreted intact in urine. A study comparing oxandrolone to other alkylated steroids found it caused the lowest liver stress.

To minimize liver strain, users should:

• Limit use to 6-8 weeks per cycle
• Undergo regular liver function tests
• Use liver-support supplements like Liver Stabil, Liv-52, or Essentiale Forte

Cardiovascular Side Effects​

Oxandrolone negatively affects cholesterol levels, reducing HDL (good cholesterol) and increasing LDL (bad cholesterol). Studies show:

• 20 mg/day caused a 30% reduction in HDL.
• 40 mg/day reduced HDL by 33%.
• 80 mg/day led to a 50% HDL reduction and 30-33% LDL increase.

Other cardiovascular risks include increased blood pressure, reduced arterial function, and left ventricular hypertrophy.

To reduce cardiovascular strain, users should:

• Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise.
• Limit saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbs.
• Supplement with fish oils (4g/day) and cholesterol-supporting supplements.

Testosterone Suppression​

Like all anabolic steroids, oxandrolone suppresses natural testosterone production. Studies show:

• 20-40 mg/day reduces testosterone levels by 45%.
• 80 mg/day suppresses testosterone by 66%.
• LH levels also decline by 25-50%, depending on the dose.

After stopping oxandrolone, testosterone levels typically recover within 1-4 months, but long-term abuse may cause prolonged suppression requiring medical intervention.

Administration​

General Administration​

Taking oxandrolone with food may reduce absorption, so it should be taken on an empty stomach for maximum bioavailability.

Dosage for Men​

• Medical dosage: 2.5–20 mg/day for 2-4 weeks.
• Performance-enhancing dosage: 15-25 mg/day for 6-8 weeks.
• Bulking cycles: Combined with 200-400 mg/week of testosterone.
• Cutting cycles: Stacked with 150 mg/week XXXXXXXXXX or 200-300 mg/week Primobolan.

Dosage for Women​

• Performance-enhancing dosage: 5-10 mg/day for 4-6 weeks.
• Stacking options: Winstrol, Primobolan, or Durabolin (with increased risk of side effects).

Availability​

Oxandrolone is increasingly produced in less regulated markets in Asia, as availability in Europe and the West declines.

• In the U.S., generic oxandrolone is available from Par Pharm, Sandoz, Upsher Smith, and Watson.
• Brand-name Oxandrin (Savient) was available in 2.5 mg and 10 mg tablets.
• Italian Oxandrolone (SPA) is no longer available.

Note: The pharmaceutical brand is no longer available in the US. It is still compounded by Empower Pharmacy, though.

Oxandrolone Tablets

Choose Empower Pharmacy for compounded Oxandrolone Tablets. The leading accredited 503A and FDA-registered 503B compounding pharmacy.

www.empowerpharmacy.com

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Did you take it with or without TRT?
Oxandrolone crashed my estradiol. Estradiol is important for tendon health. I used to aches more often on it.

Yes I’m on four clicks daily of Empower hydrogel cream. Another thing I noticed was frequent urination and bloating. Again I’m not 100% sure it’s quality Oxandrolone. My pharma grade stuff comes this week.

I’ve struggled with trt for years and finally feel good on the cream. I’m so scared to go backwards. But I still struggle with body composition. Despite decent diet and workouts. So was looking for a little edge.

 

Also my blood pressure raised slightly. Typically I run 115-120/60-70. Now it’s coming back 135-147/70-80

 

I just felt a lot of burning in my quads. And was getting gassed very quickly. more than usual.

I've read somewhere that Oxandrolone can have an effect on lactic acid buildup in quads of cyclist (could be related to quads and hockey) and also painful pumps in the back while doing deadlifts. I'm sure someone with more info will chime in.

 

I’m on four clicks daily of Empower hydrogel cream.

Good.

Typically I run 115-120/60-70. Now it’s coming back 135-147/70-80

Most androgens raise blood pressure due to water retention or stimulatory factors.

 

Good.


Most androgens raise blood pressure due to water retention or stimulatory factors.

Thank you Nelson. Really miss you posting often lol.

I guess the only way for me to truly know is try. I know when I switched to cream from injections it was a rough go at first. It effected my hockey big time. But when it all settled down I actually feel better. I’m just really bad at seeing side effects through. I kinda have ptsd from how bad I used to feel till I got dialed in.

 

Really miss you posting often lol.

Thank you. My life is a little better managed, so I have more time. I also realized how much I miss learning from everyone here. So much new information daily!

I guess the only way for me to truly know is try. I know when I switched to cream from injections it was a rough go at first. It effected my hockey big time. But when it all settled down I actually feel better. I’m just really bad at seeing side effects through. I kinda have ptsd from how bad I used to feel till I got dialed in.

Are you looking for better game performance or better body composition?

 

Thank you. My life is a little better managed, so I have more time. I also realized how much I miss learning from everyone here. So much new information daily!

Are you looking for better game performance or better body composition?

Honestly body comp. But I do spiral when my game performance is effected. I’m looking for best of both worlds. I’m sure that is probably unrealistic.

 

Good.


Most androgens raise blood pressure due to water retention or stimulatory factors.

If u experience water retention id suggest some celery seed supplements or dandy lion root , both supposed to be great diuretics…

 

I am having hard time believing this was oxandrolone. Good to see how you respond to Rx stuff here soon.

 

Conservative protocol for those with access:

Protocol for 14 weeks:
100 mg testosterone cyp or enanthate. Once per week.

50 mg nandrolone once per week

20 mg Oxandrone daily


Then back on TRT 100 to 150 mg per week.

Supplements:
5 grams of creatine daily.
200 mg choline morning time.

Food:
High protein, good fats, low simple carb diet.

Clean Nutrition for Health, Muscle Gain and Fat Loss. - Excel Male Health Forum

By Nelson Vergel There is so much confusing and contradictory information out there about healthy eating. Our food choices can affect not only on our body shape and quality of life, but also mortality and on how well we age. The components of whole food. Foods are made up of many different...

www.excelmale.com

Exercise:

30 min cardio plus 45 min resistance exercise three times per week.

Weigh yourself every day to monitor water retention and progress.

Get a full body DEXA scan at baseline and then at month 6.

Monitor your hematocrit and blood pressure.

 

body comp

Run a caloric deficit to lose BF. Drugs can help you maintain muscle in a deficit which will also influence %BF.

You do well on keto (lipids, etc) or no eskimo genes?

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aab2319

Simple and effective if you are insulin resistant / poor insulin sensitivity.

https://garytaubes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WWGF-Readers-Digest-feature-Feb-2011.pdf

 

I am having hard time believing this was oxandrolone. Good to see how you respond to Rx stuff here soon.

Run a caloric deficit to lose BF. Drugs can help you maintain in a deficit which will also influence %BF.

You do well on keto (lipids, etc) or no eskimo genes?

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aab2319

Simple and effective if you are insulin resistant / poor insulin sensitivity.

https://garytaubes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/WWGF-Readers-Digest-feature-Feb-2011.pdf

I’ll be completely honest. I kinda wanted “assistance” and not have to go crazy with diet. although All my labwork in regards to insulin resistance look perfect (besides low shbg) I assume I have issues with it. I have to be super strict with diet to maintain low body fat. And I’m kinda trying to have best of both worlds. In regards to enjoying my life and looking good. I might just have to accept that I look decent for a 41 year old lol.

 

I’ll be completely honest. I kinda wanted “assistance” and not have to go crazy with diet. although All my labwork in regards to insulin resistance look perfect (besides low shbg) I assume I have issues with it. I have to be super strict with diet to maintain low body fat. And I’m kinda trying to have best of both worlds. In regards to enjoying my life and looking good. I might just have to accept that I look decent for a 41 year old lol.

That is where a good eating disorder* comes in. Then you can enjoy life by looking good. The more you suffer at the dinner table the better you look. Pleasure through pain.

* by today's societal standard

 

That is where a good eating disorder* comes in. Then you can enjoy life by looking good. The more you suffer at the dinner table the better you look. Pleasure through pain.

* by today's societal standard

I honestly had one and that’s what lead me to ”low t”. back in my mid 20s I went on a crash diet and was over training like crazy. i dropped all the way down to 145lbs. At 6ft tall and a medium to big frame. That’s when all my hormone problems started. I was never able to fully recover them. I tried to do it all natural for over 10 years. I tried trt one and off but never longer than 6 months. Then I finally committed. In 2020. Now I’m 225lbs. A good amount of my weight is muscle but still have my problem areas that just won’t go away unless I diet hard and feel like shit again.

 

I honestly had one and that’s what lead me to ”low t”. back in my mid 20s I went on a crash diet and was over training like crazy. i dropped all the way down to 145lbs. At 6ft tall and a medium to big frame. That’s when all my hormone problems started. I was never able to fully recover them. I tried to do it all natural for over 10 years. I tried trt one and off but never longer than 6 months. Then I finally committed. In 2020. Now I’m 225lbs. A good amount of my weight is muscle but still have my problem areas that just won’t go away unless I diet hard and feel like shit again.

You bring up an excellent point and congrats on the recovery.

Borderline eating disorder on and off anabolics can result in very different results. But seriously I am glad you are doing great now!!

 

You bring up an excellent point and congrats on the recovery.

Borderline eating disorder on and off anabolics can result in very different results. Bit seriously I am glad you are doing great now!!

I’ll be honest (for the 50th time) I’m not doing “great” just much better the. I was physically. But mentally I’m actually suffering a bit. Low grade depression and No real zest for life. Despite have a great wife two awesome kids and a great career. Trying to dial that part in now.

 

I’ll be honest (for the 50th time) I’m not doing “great” just much better the. I was physically. But mentally I’m actually suffering a bit. Low grade depression and No real zest for life. Despite have a great wife two awesome kids and a great career. Trying to dial that part in now.

I'm right there with you. We can be buddies in anhedonia!

I should have written glad you are doing better instead of great.

That is the human condition, always wanting more. I am coming to grips with depression I have always had. I would be walking around at 300 lb with 8% BF if my heart and genes would support it. But then my brain tells me that is not a great idea. It is horrible being a thinker.

 

Gents, haven’t been here in a while. Just trying to feel good and part of me realized that all the reading in the world won’t accomplish that. That said, I’m with you @tareload and @Charliebizz. I have also been trying to get my hormones straight, and at some point realized that hormones alone were not the sole culprit for my mood issues.

A few months ago, I started a journey with SSRIs. I won’t bore with all the play-by-play details, but I’m still working on the right medicine and/or time of day and/or dose. All that said, I do believe there has been some benefit. For example, I have not been able to take a nap for years and years. More recently, I find myself able to lay down and close my eyes without a billion thoughts racing through my mind. I’m also less likely to be negative in situations in which I shouldn’t be. On the other hand, I have experienced some of the emotional blunting people talk about.

Possibly the most challenging aspect has been fatigue. I am going to possibly bring up trying to add Wellbutrin to sertraline at my appointment next week.

With respect to Oxandrolone, @Charliebizz , no shame at all, brother! Not that you had any, but I, too, care about the way I look. I’m not willing to sacrifice long-term health necessarily for it, but I very much want to be at my best. At one point, I asked defy about DHT derivatives, and they recommended Oxandrolone. I have two bottles sitting on my shelf, but I have not opened either one, because I’m scared shitless of side effects and what it may do to my lipids!

I have been contemplating using it along with something low-grade like Natesto just to see how I feel. Defy seems to think it could be done indefinitely at the low-dose that I would be using (12.5 mg daily).

@Charliebizz , I love the fact that you are going to be my guinea pig. Please report back here!

@Nelson Vergel, good to see you, man. Hope you are doing well.

 

Gents, haven’t been here in a while. Just trying to feel good and part of me realized that all the reading in the world won’t accomplish that. That said, I’m with you @tareload and @Charliebizz. I have also been trying to get my hormones straight, and at some point realized that hormones alone were not the sole culprit for my mood issues.

A few months ago, I started a journey with SSRIs. I won’t bore with all the play-by-play details, but I’m still working on the right medicine and/or time of day and/or dose. All that said, I do believe there has been some benefit. For example, I have not been able to take a nap for years and years. More recently, I find myself able to lay down and close my eyes without a billion thoughts racing through my mind. I’m also less likely to be negative in situations in which I shouldn’t be. On the other hand, I have experienced some of the emotional blunting people talk about.

Possibly the most challenging aspect has been fatigue. I am going to possibly bring up trying to add Wellbutrin to sertraline at my appointment next week.

With respect to Oxandrolone, @Charliebizz , no shame at all, brother! Not that you had any, but I, too, care about the way I look. I’m not willing to sacrifice long-term health necessarily for it, but I very much want to be at my best. At one point, I asked defy about DHT derivatives, and they recommended Oxandrolone. I have two bottles sitting on my shelf, but I have not opened either one, because I’m scared shitless of side effects and what it may do to my lipids!

I have been contemplating using it along with something low-grade like Natesto just to see how I feel. Defy seems to think it could be done indefinitely at the low-dose that I would be using (12.5 mg daily).

@Charliebizz , I love the fact that you are going to be my guinea pig. Please report back here!

@Nelson Vergel, good to see you, man. Hope you are doing well.

I too have been dabbling in low dose ssri again. while I do feel it calms me down a bit I’m also less productive at home. My anxiety kind of fuels me to a degree. I keep going on and off them. Luckily at 2.5 mg of lexapro I get no withdrawl coming off. But I feel lazy at home and that also drives me crazy. Just today I skipped my pill lol. I’m also scared shit of the oxandrolone. I already have low hdl and high triglycerides unless I’m on low carb diet. I also have low shbg. And after the week of the ugl shit I’m really nervous to try again.

 

I’ll be honest (for the 50th time) I’m not doing “great” just much better the. I was physically. But mentally I’m actually suffering a bit. Low grade depression and No real zest for life. Despite have a great wife two awesome kids and a great career. Trying to dial that part in now.

@Charliebizz having a great wife, two awesome kids and a great career is a whole lot more than most men ever have in life. Always be thankful for what you have and don't worry for what you may not have in life. Good luck and hope you get all of this dialed in. You have a whole lot to be happy about.