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 trenbolone 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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I think you hit the nail on the head in terms of describing the experience of anhedonia, but there is no psychiatric drug I've tried which could sustainably resolve that for me. They did have a variety of effects that you might find useful depending on your circumstances, but amplifying the experience of joy (long-term, key qualifier) was not one of them. That, combined with some research around antidepressants increasing vulnerability to repeated episodes of depression, convinced me the overall approach of trying to modify mood with psychiatric drugs is ill-advised.

Maybe I am throwing the baby out with the bath water -- I have not tried every single drug out there (just most of them), or those in development. And your experience may be different.

So far, I've had more luck adopting a philosophy for life that doesn't depend on hedonism than trying to improve my capacity for hedonism.

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https://genius.com/Nine-inch-nails-mr-self-destruct-lyrics

 

I’m a round about way wouldnt your ”genes” be the reason you feel like crap eating a certain way? I’m not doubting you at all and I’ve seen what carnivore did for my lipids. But eating like that also causes me situational depression. it’s very hard to sustain that way of eating. From always preparing food to worrying about what you’re going to eat when you go to a gathering. Or just enjoying a good meal out to eat with the family. It gets very depressing. Especially when you have plenty of people around you that feel great and can eat whatever the hell they want. Lol.

Ugh, I can’t stand that some people can eat and do whatever they want and seem happy as clams, it drives me nuts! Lol. It’s definitely a bummer that some people have to be much stricter than others with their diet and lifestyle to feel good. Not fair! Lol

But ya, it comes down to ur genes, as well as the epigenetic changes that have been done to ur body over the course of ur life. Genes ur born with. Epigenetics is basically how those genes act and operate, based on the things ur body has been exposed to over the course of ur life. So it’s a mix of the genes ur born with, which u obv have no control over, and the things u do to make those genes operate in certain ways.

and I can understand where ur coming from diet wise. We’re all addicted to food, and are used to food being a huge part of most social gatherings, so it’s not easy for a lot of people to drastically change their eating habits. It just all comes down to what ur personal goals in life are. I wish more than anything we could just eat whatever we wanted and feel our best and function at our best, but it’s just not the case unfortunately. Unless the foods that make us feel and function our best happen to be the same exact foods that we crave and derive the most pleasure from, diet wise, of course. Unfortunately those two things don’t always line up perfectly. U

 

Leg day...

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Turn it up!

 

I feel your pain. Getting old is hard to accept. Fortunately for me I never realized my age until I hit 63, life moved very fast. I have always been thankful I made it as far as I have and had lots of nightmares about how close I have come to an early demise many times. What would have happened if I had not reacted the way I did. I learned to control that by not putting myself in bad situations.

We had an old saying in football, its not the destination, but the journey that matters. We are all on a journey, so make the most of it every day when you wake up. Every day is an opportunity to be a better person. Don't look to the end, just live the day. Obviously the way you think is a learned behavior from your family. Perhaps some help understanding what you were taught and being able to change your thought processes would help you face life. My wife did this with meditation, I spent hours going to work listening to motivational/positive thinking speakers. This helped me think positive when I competed. I always told myself that success was just failure tuned inside out. I have had a lot of failures in my life and competitive career but find a way to turn it around. Just part of the journey.

Again, good luck with your journey!

I feel your pain. Getting old is hard to accept. Fortunately for me I never realized my age until I hit 63, life moved very fast. I have always been thankful I made it as far as I have and had lots of nightmares about how close I have come to an early demise many times. What would have happened if I had not reacted the way I did. I learned to control that by not putting myself in bad situations.

We had an old saying in football, its not the destination, but the journey that matters. We are all on a journey, so make the most of it every day when you wake up. Every day is an opportunity to be a better person. Don't look to the end, just live the day. Obviously the way you think is a learned behavior from your family. Perhaps some help understanding what you were taught and being able to change your thought processes would help you face life. My wife did this with meditation, I spent hours going to work listening to motivational/positive thinking speakers. This helped me think positive when I competed. I always told myself that success was just failure tuned inside out. I have had a lot of failures in my life and competitive career but find a way to turn it around. Just part of the journey.

Again, good luck with your journey!

Great post. Some days I’m able to think very positive. And control my thoughts. But I do believe there is a hormonal component to it. A lot of time if I change my protocol or add something in I get these bouts of depression or anxiety.

 

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.

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.

Thank you for sharing this. How long would you recommend staying on the TC/TE only protocol before returning to the 14 week protocol with nandrolone and oxandrolone?

 

I think I am going to close this thread.

The title of it is "All About Oxandrolone", but I think that no longer applies.

 

Thank you for sharing this. How long would you recommend staying on the TC/TE only protocol before returning to the 14 week protocol with nandrolone and oxandrolone?

I am not sure. It is a personal decision that should take into consideration potential long term effects and how easily your body reverses them.

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Recovery of sperm production following testosterone replacement or anabolic steroids

The use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for hypogonadism continues to rise, particularly in younger men who may wish to remain fertile. Concurrently, awareness of a more pervasive use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) within the general population has been appreciated. Both TRT and...

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Treatment with oxandrolone (Oxandrin) and the durability of effects in older men


Abstract:
We investigated the effects of the anabolic androgen, oxandrolone, on lean body mass (LBM), muscle size, fat, and maximum voluntary muscle strength, and we determined the durability of effects after treatment was stopped. Thirty-two healthy 60- to 87-yr-old men were randomized to receive 20 mg oxandrolone/day (n = 20) or placebo (n = 12) for 12 wk. Body composition [dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging, and (2)H(2)O dilution] and muscle strength [1 repetition maximum (1 RM)] were evaluated at baseline and after 12 wk of treatment; body composition (DEXA) and 1-RM strength were then assessed 12 wk after treatment was discontinued (week 24). At week 12, oxandrolone increased LBM by 3.0 +/- 1.5 kg (P < 0.001), total body water by 2.9 +/- 3.7 kg (P = 0.002), and proximal thigh muscle area by 12.4 +/- 8.4 cm(2) (P < 0.001); these increases were greater (P < 0.003) than in the placebo group. Oxandrolone increased 1-RM strength for leg press by 6.7 +/- 6.4% (P < 0.001), leg flexion by 7.0 +/- 7.8% (P < 0.001), chest press by 9.3 +/- 6.7% (P < 0.001), and latissimus pull-down exercises by 5.1 +/- 9.1% (P = 0.02); these increases were greater than placebo. Oxandrolone reduced total (-1.9 +/- 1.0 kg) and trunk fat (-1.3 +/- 0.6 kg; P < 0.001), and these decreases were greater (P < 0.001) than placebo. Twelve weeks after oxandrolone was discontinued (week 24), the increments in LBM and muscle strength were no longer different from baseline (P > 0.15). However, the decreases in total and trunk fat were sustained (-1.5 +/- 1.8, P = 0.001 and -1.0 +/- 1.1 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Thus oxandrolone induced short-term improvements in LBM, muscle area, and strength, while reducing whole body and trunk adiposity. Anabolic improvements were lost 12 wk after discontinuing oxandrolone, whereas improvements in fat mass were largely sustained.
Full article:

Reference