Profile (History, Chemical Structure, Characteristics)

History

Oxandrolone (also known under the trade names Anavar, Oksandrin, Vasorome, Anatrofill, etc.) is an oral anabolic steroid first created by Searle Laboratories Company, now Pfizer Inc., and released under the trade name Anavar in 1964.

Oxandrolone is a synthetic steroid (ring A represents a heterocyclic compound wherein the second carbon atom is substituted by an oxygen atom). Oxandrolone is well-known for its extremely low androgenic activity along with a high anabolic index. (1)

Anavar was originally developed for the treatment of debilitated HIV-infected patients, for persons with Turner syndrome, anaemia, for recovery from burns and bones strengthening. However, it soon became widely popular among bodybuilders, which ultimately resulted in Anavar's being categorized as a controlled substance.

Chemical Structure

The molecular structure of Oxandrolone is 5-alpha-androstan-2-oxa-17 alpha-methyl-17 beta-ol-3-one. To develop the formula, scientists synthesized the drug deriving its molecular structure from dihydrotestosterone.

What makes Oxandrolone different is the fact that an oxygen atom replaces the methylation and 2 carbon in the 17 position, which was done through replacing oxygen with other elements ordinarily present in dihydrotestosterone. As a result, we have a steroid with one of the lowest number of androgenicity among synthetic steroids.

Characteristics

  • Anabolic activity index: 400% of testosterone
  • Androgenic activity index: 25% of testosterone
  • Aromatization (conversion into estrogen): no
  • Hepatoxicity: moderate / low
  • Method of Administration: oral (pills)
  • Active life: 8-12 hours
  • Detection time: 45 days

Effects

  • Increase in muscle relief and hardness - the main effect of Oxandrolone
  • Fat burning
  • Increase of growth hormone level
  • Increase in strength

Anavar is not advisable for gaining muscle mass. Anavar cycle is recommended for those who have abundant muscle mass with little to moderate body fat for increase in muscle relief and reduction of subcutaneous fat.

Anavar Solo Cycle

Anavar is powerful enough to give you effects by itself, but it’s dangerous for your health to run it without a testosterone base in big doses. 

You have just two options: 

  • Option 1: keep your Anavar dosage as low as possible, at 2.5-10mg per day max, and enjoy barely notable effects without a Testosterone base;

  • Option 2: take moderate and high doses of Anavar, up to 20-40mg ED, but run a Testosterone Enanthate in moderate dosage, up to 150mg, at the same time. 

Option two is called Testosterone Base: it means that you, most likely, won’t get any significant gains from a low testosterone dose, but it will be there to support your body while your natural testosterone production is suppressed by Anavar. 

Anavar for Bulking?

Even though Oxandrolone is highly anabolic, bulking is not the primary goal for most athletes that cycle it. It’s a great “final touch” compound: 

  • Dry orals like Anavar are much less common than wet bulkers, so using Anavar for bulking would be like trying to fix an old Chevy with new Ferrari parts;

  • You won’t get extreme gains with Anavar, but it’s likely you will ruin its effect by eating in a surplus and going for a classic bulk on cycle;

  • In the end, you will get more liver damage and less gains than you would get from a classic wet injectable bulker. 

In other words: bulking on Anavar is possible, but irrational. Instead — use it for polishing your physique: 

  • Anavar causes zero water retention and visibly makes your muscles dry;

  • Not only you look more shredded, you also feel that way: Anavar makes your muscles harder to the touch; 

  • With the right diet it’s possible to shed the last body fat that was standing between you and your perfect stage-body-ready look. 

All of it, of course, with a significant increase in strength and improved recovery, proven by multiple studies (2). 

Anavar Oxandrolone guide cycle reviews

Oxandrolone Dosages and Uses

As it was mentioned above, the "solo" cycle of Anavar is taken to increase muscle relief. Total duration of the course is 6-8 weeks.

Start taking Oxandrolone at the dose of 20 mg. per day, divided into two intakes - in the morning and at the beginning of the second half of the day.

After a week, increase the dosage of Anavar to 40, maximum 80 mg (not recommended, though) per day, divided into 3 intakes.

In case of the absense of side effects, continue the course during 5-6 weeks.

On the second day after the end of the course of Anavar, start the intake of Tamoxifen in the dose of 10 mg. per day for 1-2 weeks in order to restore natural testosterone production.

The cycle of Oxandrolone requires prior medical consultation to identify contraindications (prostate hypertrophy, liver disease, etc.).

To maximize the effectiveness of the course, take sports nutrition for the relief.

Cycles (Courses)

In order to prevent certain side effects of Oxandrolone (decreased libido, flaccid erection, toxic effect on the liver) and side effects of accompanying drugs, and also to get great results, it is recommended to include in the course of Anavar high androgen drugs.

  • Testosterone
  • Sustanon
  • Primobolan

It is also necessary to consider the following:

  1. In combination with other drugs, the dosage of Oxandrolone should not exceed 40 mg. per day.
  2. Combined cycles of Oxandrolone will not only provide muscle relief, but also the increase of the muscle mass.
  3. For maximum effectiveness, take the complex of sport nutrition for the growth of the muscle mass and keep the diet for the growth of the muscle mass.

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References

  1. Short-Term Oxandrolone Administration Stimulates Net Muscle Protein Synthesis in Young Men — https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/84/8/2705/2864236
  2. The effects of an anabolic agent on body composition and pulmonary function in tetraplegia: a pilot study — https://www.nature.com/articles/sc200982