Anabolics

Anavar (Oxandrolone)

Anavar (Oxandrolone)

Introduction

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is perhaps the most popular oral anabolic steroids in bodybuilding history.  One of the biggest myths is that it is a ‘weak steroid‘ and ‘waste of money‘.  However, if you get your hands on a legitimate product and use it correctly, it may end up being your favorite anabolic steroid.  This profile will shed some light on the truth behind Anavar (Oxandrolone). 

History of Anavar use

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Anavar is the most popular brand name of the anabolic steroid Oxandrolone.  Two Searle Laboratories researchers named Chris Jung and Raphael Pappo came up with the drug in the early 1960s, as they were searching for something that had low androgenic but moderate anabolic properties.  It was used medically for different muscle wasting diseases and proved to be successful for bone issues.  During the ’80s some doctors were prescribing it to their HIV/AIDS clients. 

In addition, bodybuilders from professionals to gym rats were using Anavar (Oxandrolone) to help them with their fitness goals, and it became one of the most popular steroids for its ability to give results without too many negative side effects.  In 1989, Searle discontinued production due to rampant abuse by bodybuilders.  The price of the steroid would then skyrocket due to high demand and shortages.  It was then brought back by Savient Pharma in the mid-1990s as ‘Oxandrin’ and the price has remained high ever since. 

Structure

oxandrolone cycle for bodybuilding

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative steroid which means it is incapable of converting into estrogen in the body.  There is an extra atom replacing the carbon2 within the a-ring of the compound which boosts anabolic activity and offsets metabolic breakdown.  Due to the structure, it makes it a great hardener and drier of the physique. 

One of the ways it helps add lean muscle tissue is that it will prevent cortisol from eating the muscle and it boosts nitrogen retention allowing you to keep more muscle than you otherwise could. 

It has an anabolic rating of 420 and an androgenic rating of just 20.  This makes it, on paper, about 4X more anabolic and 5X less androgenic than straight Testosterone

One last feature is the methyl group attachment which prevents the liver from destroying the drug in the body, this is referred to as a 17 alpha-alkylated steroid.  This also means it is liver toxic. 

Results:

oxandrolone results before and after

Fat burning

Anavar (Oxandrolone) can help the user burn more fat because it helps reduce thyroid-binding globulin and it also gives you clean/dry muscle gains even while eating in a strict deficit. 

Other advantages over other steroids

Since Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative, as we mentioned above, you do not have to worry about estrogenic side effects such as bloat, water retention, gynecomastia, sleeping problems, or heart strain.  It also binds very well to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) which means when you use it in a stack it will help the other steroids work even better.  It also helps boost free testosterone in the body.

In the end, a user on Anavar (Oxandrolone) can expect to gain quality lean muscle mass, burn some body fat, increase lifts, all while not experiencing horrific side effects found in more androgenic steroids. 

Half-life

The half-life of Anavar (Oxandrolone) is approximately 8 hours.  It is recommended you dose it 1-2X per day for the best results. 

Detection times

Anavar (Oxandrolone) detection time is listed as 3-4 weeks.  It is banned by every major league and federation so do not use it if you are tested at a minimum one month prior. 

Side effects

Oxandrin best legal alternative

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is a mild steroid that does not come with androgenic or estrogenic side effects like some other steroids.  However, it can cause crippling pumps especially in the legs or back which is not good for those who like to do endurance sports, so consider supplementing with Taurine.  It is also liver toxic as we talked about earlier, so using it wisely and the use of support supplements is important.  Finally, it is suppressive so you will need a full post cycle therapy

Anavar Dosages in bodybuilding and stacking

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is actually a very versatile steroid and stacks very well for many types of goals.  The most common dosage can range from 20mgs up to 80mgs for males per day, and for females a dosage is up to 15mgs per day.   Average cycles tend to be 6-8 weeks in total. 

Recomposition: 

This means building muscle mass while losing body fat.  40-50mgs a day of Anavar (Oxandrolone), 20mgs Cardarine, and Equipoise at 400mg a day combined with proper diet and training will work wonders. 

Powerlifting: 

I have personally set personal records in my bench press, squats, deadlifts, and militaries by stacking 50mgs a day of Anavar (Oxandrolone) with 300mgs a week of Trenbolone.

Bodybuilding: 

Adding 40-80mgs a day of Anavar (Oxandrolone) to their existing cycle can help with hardening and vascularity ahead of the competition. 

Use as a kickstart: 

Some guys like to use it to start off their injectable cycle the first 4 or 6 weeks. 

Female use

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is the #1 steroid for females because of its mild properties and results.  Start with 5-10mgs a day and consider stacking SARM’s with them. 

Myths

3 biggest myths about Anavar and what guys on forums are saying

1.  You cannot run Anavar (Oxandrolone) solo in a cycle: 

This is ridiculous as many people over the years have used it by itself in a cycle.  Will it add 20 pounds of weight and 50 pounds to your bench?  No, but it is still very effective.  Discuss here.  

2. Anavar (Oxandrolone) by itself burns fat: 

Don’t we all wish this was true?  Unfortunately, no steroid is that magical.  You must still eat right at the very least and exercising will help too.  Discuss here.

3.  You cannot run Anavar (Oxandrolone) for more than 4 weeks because of its toxicity: 

This is false as long as you have a healthy liver and don’t abuse drugs or alcohol already.  We have seen plenty of bloodwork proving that using N2guard on your cycle prevents extreme liver toxicity and you can use it for 8 weeks.  Discuss here.

Where to Buy Anavar

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Popular brands, our opinions on how to choose, cost and availability

It is very important that you choose very wisely when it comes to choosing Anavar (Oxandrolone) because it is so widely faked and underdosed.  It is one of the most expensive steroids out there along with Primobolan and if you find either of these steroids at a price too good to be true, it probably is.  Right now Anavar (Oxandrolone) costs around $160 for 100 tabs at 10mg/tab from trusted sources.   It can be a hard steroid to get a hold of due to high demand so check with your source as to what they have in stock. 

There are 4 brands that we recommend that shine well. 

  • Zhengzhou Pharmaceuticals (ZPHC)
  • Pharmacom Labs
  • Balkan Pharma
  • Alpha Pharma healthcare
About author

Articles

Steve Smi is a former competitive endurance athlete and powerlifter. He has been weight training for over 25 years and studied PED's for more than 15 years. He moderates 4 fitness forums, has written over 1000 articles, published over 4 books, and has interviewed Mr. Olympia Champions, including Frank Zane, in his over 400 published podcasts. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, family, fishing, movies, and the outdoors. He is an advocate of giving back to the fitness community and sharing knowledge so everyone can better themselves. Ask Steve a question here.