Anavar (Oxandrolone) is an oral anabolic steroid developed at the zenith of anabolic steroid research between the 1950s and 1980s.
Anavar is renowned for its outstanding safety profile and benefit-to-side-effect ratio, and is known to be suitable even for women and children.
Anavar was developed as Oxandrolone in 1962 and launched under the brand name Anavar by G.D. Searle & Co. Laboratories.
Other pharmaceutical companies marketed it under names such as Protivar, Anatrophil, and Lipidex.
Anavar was a successful product in the prescription market, supported by numerous medical reports.
Anavar is a modified derivative of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), with its anabolic capabilities enhanced through C-17 alpha-alkylation and the substitution of the second carbon atom with an oxygen atom.
Studies have shown that Anavar possesses at least three to a maximum of six times the strength of testosterone.
Chemical Characteristics of Anavar
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is an anabolic steroid of the DHT family, belonging to the same class of DHT derivatives as Winstrol, Primobolan, and Masteron.
Anavar’s anabolic strength far exceeds its androgenic strength, with studies showing it has up to six times the anabolic effect of testosterone.
It has no estrogenic or progestogenic activity, making it advantageous for athletes and bodybuilders looking to avoid water weight gain.
Furthermore, it is effective for reducing body fat and preserving muscle.
Anavar’s anabolic rating is 322-630; this range is given because as an oral steroid, it is designed to resist liver metabolism, which can result in some loss of potency.
Anavar Side Effects
Anavar has an excellent benefit-to-side-effect ratio and does not convert to estrogen, thus eliminating side effects such as water retention, bloating, fat gain, and gynecomastia.
Additionally, it has no progestogenic activity, so there are no related negative effects.
However, for individuals sensitive to androgenic side effects, Anavar can cause issues like acne, oily skin, increased body hair growth, male pattern baldness, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
According to research, using 15mg per day for just 5 days can suppress endogenous testosterone production and testicular function by 40%, so Anavar should not be taken lightly.
Also, while Anavar is less hepatotoxic than other oral anabolic steroids, it is advisable not to use it for more than 8-10 weeks.
Supplementing with a liver support compound is essential when using any oral steroid.
Anavar Cycles and Usage
While Anavar gained popularity in the past as a ‘cutting agent,’ it is also effective for mass gain, strength, and bulking, in addition to fat loss and physique definition.
With an anabolic strength 3 to 6 times that of testosterone, Anavar cycles can certainly be used as bulking cycles.
However, due to the strain and toxicity on the liver, it should be used for 6-8 weeks, although it can be extended up to 10 weeks because its hepatotoxicity is lower than other oral compounds.
For bulking purposes, Anavar cycles are often stacked with long-estered testosterone or Deca Durabolin.
On the other hand, cycles for cutting and fat loss are shorter and are used with drugs like Testosterone Propionate, Trenbolone Acetate, and Masteron.
These compounds cause little to no water retention or bloating.
Anavar Dosage and Administration
In most medical applications, Anavar is prescribed at 2.5-20mg per day, depending on the illness or disorder.
For example, for AIDS patients, doses of 20-80mg per day have been used.
Similar efficacy was observed in burn victims.
Anavar is effective for patients across various age groups.
Anavar has been incorrectly marketed as a ‘mild steroid,’ but research shows it has 3 to 6 times the anabolic strength of testosterone.
In bodybuilding, beginners typically use 25-50mg per day, while advanced users take 50-80mg, with doses rarely reaching 80-100mg.
Women typically use 5-10mg per day, and advanced female users may go up to 20mg, but cycles should not exceed 4-6 weeks.
Additionally, taking Anavar with 300mg of caffeine can increase Anavar levels by 15 to 20 times.
Latest Research
On January 9, 2018, a study in Portugal measuring the effects of Oxandrolone and coffee concluded that coffee increases the bioavailability and absorption rate of Oxandrolone.
The Portuguese Doping Control Laboratory conducted a study administering Oxandrolone with 300mg of caffeine, and the results showed that the plasma concentration in the Oxandrolone + caffeine group increased by 1900% (20-fold) compared to the Oxandrolone-only group.
Therefore, it is advisable to consume coffee or a caffeine supplement when using Anavar.
| Chemical Name | 17β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-2-oxa-5α-androstane-3-one |
| Molecular Weight | 306.44 g/mol |
| Molecular Formula | C19H30O3 |
| Manufacturer | Searle Laboratories (now Pfizer Inc.) |
| Half-life | 9 hours |
| Detection Time | 3 weeks |
| Anabolic Rating | 322 – 630 |
| Androgenic Rating | 24 |
