At a glance
Effects
- Lean muscle gain: Stimulates protein synthesis and nitrogen retention in skeletal muscle, supporting dry, water-free muscle accrual [4][5].
- Strength: Increases contractile tissue mass and neuromuscular efficiency; users typically report significant strength gains relative to mass added [3].
- Fat loss / recomposition: Reduces catabolism and has been associated with reduced body fat in catabolic and burn-recovery contexts; popular in cutting phases for its 'dry' profile [2][8].
- Burn & wound recovery: Clinically shown to improve muscle protein synthesis, reduce lean body mass loss, and accelerate donor-site wound healing in severe burn patients [8].
- Anti-catabolic effect: Interacts with androgen and glucocorticoid receptors to oppose muscle-wasting from illness, corticosteroid therapy, or trauma [5].
Oral AAS / DHT derivative
9–10 h (up to 13 h elderly)
Oral (tablet)
~322–630 : 24
Schedule III controlled substance
About Oxandrolone
Every point here is drawn from public medical and harm-reduction sources. A bracketed number after a claim — like [1]— is a reference: tap it to open the exact source it's based on (numbered list at the bottom). It is not a rating or score. Educational information, not medical advice.
Product specifics
- Est. delivery
- 3–7 business days · EU tracked
Product details as stated by the vendor (claims, not independently verified). Delivery is our standard EU estimate.
What it is
Oxandrolone (brand names Anavar, Oxandrin) is an oral synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT), FDA-approved for promoting weight gain in muscle-wasting conditions, burn recovery, and offsetting protein catabolism from long-term corticosteroid use [1][2]. It is notable for its unusually high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, making it one of the more selectively anabolic oral steroids available [3].
How it works
Oxandrolone binds androgen receptors in skeletal muscle cell cytoplasm; the receptor-drug complex translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription of genes required for muscle growth, protein synthesis, and tissue repair [4][5]. A unique structural modification — an oxygen atom replacing carbon-2 in the A-ring — increases anabolic selectivity while sharply reducing androgenic activity, yielding an anabolic:androgenic ratio of approximately 322–630:24 versus testosterone's 100:100 baseline [3]. Because it is already 5α-reduced, it cannot be converted to more potent androgens by 5α-reductase, nor aromatised to oestrogen [6]. It also resists first-pass hepatic metabolism to a greater degree than most oral AAS, being excreted largely unchanged in urine, which moderates (but does not eliminate) liver stress [7].
Risks & side effects
Most important: As a C-17α-alkylated oral steroid, oxandrolone carries a real risk of hepatotoxicity, ranging from elevated liver enzymes and cholestatic jaundice to, in rare cases, peliosis hepatis, hepatic adenomas, or hepatocellular carcinoma — some of which can cause life-threatening intra-abdominal haemorrhage without prior warning symptoms [1][9]. Regular liver function monitoring is essential and use should be stopped immediately if jaundice or abnormal LFTs appear [10].
Common
- Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST) — typically transient but require monitoring [9]
- Decreased HDL cholesterol; sometimes increased LDL — atherogenic lipid shift [1][10]
- Suppression of LH, FSH, and endogenous testosterone production [11]
- Acne and oily skin (androgenic, but mild relative to other AAS) [12]
- Virilisation in women: deepening voice, hirsutism, clitoral enlargement [12]
- Nausea, headache, changes in libido [12]
Serious
- Cholestatic jaundice and hepatic dysfunction — may require drug discontinuation [10]
- Significant HDL suppression accelerating atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk [1][13]
- Testicular atrophy and impaired fertility from gonadotropin suppression [11]
- Blood pressure elevation — particularly with prolonged or high-dose use [13]
- Premature closure of epiphyseal plates (irreversible bone-age advancement) in adolescents [12]
- Increased bleeding or bruising risk, potentiated by anticoagulant co-use [14]
Rare
- Peliosis hepatis — blood-filled hepatic cysts, risk of rupture and fatal haemorrhage [1][9]
- Hepatocellular carcinoma or benign hepatic adenomas (may regress on cessation) [9][1]
- Hypercalcaemia via stimulation of osteolytic bone resorption — particular risk in breast-cancer patients [10]
- Worsening of pre-existing cardiac oedema or congestive heart failure [10]
- Psychiatric effects: mood disturbance, aggression, sleep disruption [13]
Safety & harm reduction
- Pregnancy — Category X; causes foetal masculinisation [12]
- Prostate or male breast carcinoma [12]
- Breast carcinoma in females with hypercalcaemia [10]
- Pre-existing hepatic impairment or active liver disease [1]
- Nephrotic syndrome or severe renal disease [12]
- Paediatric / adolescent users (risk of irreversible epiphyseal closure) [12]
- Hypersensitivity to oxandrolone or any component of the formulation [12]
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin) at baseline and periodically during use; discontinue if abnormal [9][10]
- Full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides) — HDL suppression is consistent and atherogenic [1][11]
- Endogenous testosterone, LH, FSH — monitor suppression, especially post-cycle [11]
- Blood pressure — monitor regularly; elevation reported with sustained use [13]
- Haematocrit / haemoglobin — risk of erythrocytosis with androgen use [12]
- Bone age (X-ray of wrist/hand every 6 months) if used near puberty [12]
- Oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) — oxandrolone potentiates anticoagulant effect; increased bleeding risk [14]
- Insulin and oral hypoglycaemics — oxandrolone can alter glucose metabolism; dose adjustment may be required [14]
- Corticosteroids (e.g., ACTH) — concurrent use may increase oedema risk [12]
- Adrenal steroids — potential additive fluid retention [12]
- Hepatotoxic drugs — additive liver stress; avoid co-administration [10]
- Liver support: Use N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and TUDCA/UDCA during any oral AAS cycle to mitigate hepatic strain [9]
- Post-cycle therapy (PCT): Endogenous testosterone is suppressed; a structured PCT (e.g., SERM-based) is warranted after cessation to restore HPG axis function [11]
- Lipid management: Monitor and manage HDL/LDL with dietary intervention; consider omega-3 supplementation; avoid stacking with other hepatotoxic or lipid-stressing agents [1][13]
- Cycle length: Keep cycles short (typically ≤8 weeks) to limit cumulative hepatic and cardiovascular exposure [13]
- Dose splitting: The ~9-hour half-life supports twice-daily dosing to maintain stable plasma levels [7]
Dosage context
Clinical dosing in approved indications is 2.5–20 mg/day orally in 2–4 divided doses for adults [1]. Non-prescribed performance contexts commonly report 20–80 mg/day in men and 2.5–10 mg/day in women, per harm-reduction sources [3]; however, these figures are not medically sanctioned and higher doses substantially increase hepatic and cardiovascular risk. No dosage is safe without medical oversight. Sources on this vary and the figures above are reported ranges only, not recommendations.
Sources
- 1.FDA Oxandrin Label (DailyMed / accessdata.fda.gov)
- 2.Wikipedia — Oxandrolone
- 3.HighPeptides — Anavar (Oxandrolone) Harm Reduction Guide 2026
- 4.Muscular Dystrophy News — Oxandrolone mechanism
- 5.ChemicalBook — Oxandrolone pharmacokinetics & side effects
- 6.Massivebio — Oxandrolone overview
- 7.USPTO Patent 6670351 — Oxandrolone PK (elimination half-life 9.4 h)
- 8.ScienceDirect Topics — Oxandrolone in burns
- 9.PMC 5043289 — AAS-induced liver injury case report (oxandrolone)
- 10.Medscape — Oxandrin dosing, interactions, adverse effects
- 11.ScienceDirect — Oxandrolone safety & effectiveness systematic review (2025)
- 12.FDA Oxandrolone Tablets USP Label 2005 (accessdata.fda.gov)
- 13.TrueNorthMetabolic — Why Oxandrolone isn't mild (clinical commentary)
- 14.WebMD — Oxandrolone (Anavar, Oxandrin) drug information
- 15.PMC 9331524 — AAS-induced liver injury update
This information is provided for educational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice. These substances can carry serious health risks; effects and safe use vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Legal status varies by country — it is your responsibility to know your local law. We do not encourage misuse.
Other options for Oxandrolone· 16 offers
Same compound from different labs/brands and pack sizes. Tap a row to switch brand — the price and buy button update instantly.
This compound comes in different forms (e.g. injectable vs oral vs topical). Cost per mg is only comparable within the same form.
| Brand | Form | Strength | Pack | Price | Per mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Generic | — | — | 54,90 € | — | |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 100 tab | 68,90 € | ★€0.069/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 100 tab | 68,90 € | ★€0.069/mg |
GenericSelected | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 100 tab | 68,90 € | ★€0.069/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 100 tab | 68,90 € | ★€0.069/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 100 tab | 68,90 € | ★€0.069/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 50 tab | 83,90 € | €0.168/mg |
EVO | blister-pack | 50 mg/tab | 84,90 € | — | |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 120 tab | 89,90 € | €0.075/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 50 tab | 104,99 € | €0.210/mg |
Generic | oral-liquid | 40 mg/ml | 30 ml | 129,99 € | €0.108/mg |
Nouveaux | — | — | 144,99 € | — | |
Generic | blister-pack | 10 mg/tab | 50 tab | 149,99 € | €0.300/mg |
Generic | oral-liquid | 25 mg/ml | 100 ml | 189,99 € | ★€0.076/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 20 mg/tab | 100 tab | 209,99 € | €0.105/mg |
Generic | blister-pack | 20 mg/tab | 50 tab | 349,99 € | €0.350/mg |