Androgen Index 24
Anabolic index 322-630
Chemical name 17b-hydroxy-17a-methyl-2-oxa-5a-androstane-3-one
No estrogenic activity
No progesterone activity
Oxandrolone is an oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. It is designed to have a very strong separation of anabolic and androgenic effects and has no significant estrogenic or progestin activity. As far as oral steroids go, Oxandrolone is very mild and ideal for promoting muscle tissue strength and mass without significant side effects. Oxandrolone is one of the most popular oral anabolic steroids of all time, largely due to its good tolerance and mild side effects. This is one of the few anabolic steroids that can be safely used by both men and women, in some circles Oxandrolone is greatly underrated due to its mild nature, but this is usually due to a lack of sympathy for Oxandrolone The actual expectation is that Oxandrolone can play a huge role.
The role of oxandrolone
Oxandrolone is also a very popular anabolic steroid among bodybuilders. Although mild on the surface, Oxandrolone carries a massive anabolic capacity that is 3-6 times stronger than Testosterone. Oxandrolone has an Anabolic Score of 322-630 and an Androgenic Index of 100. This would suggest that the muscle-building properties of this steroid are huge; however, the ratings don't translate to real-world use as you might think the result of. This is not what we would consider a first-choice vitamin steroid for male athletes of the season, and in fact, Oxandrolone's effects on muscle growth are arguably underwhelming compared to other steroids. However, its anabolic capabilities will translate significantly in fat loss and prep cycles, and we will also find that this hormone is fairly low-androgenic and one of the friendliest steroids for women.
When studying the direct functions and characteristics of Oxandrolone, the most important revolves around its ability to increase nitrogen retention in muscle, reduce SHBG and inhibit glucocorticoids. An increase in nitrogen retention will boost the body's anabolic environment, and a reduction in SHBG will produce higher levels of free testosterone in the body, providing not only more anabolic shock, but also a free or unconjugated state of all circulating anabolic steroids . Simply put, this makes the steroid you use more effective. As for glucocorticoid suppression, these are the culprit hormones in muscle breakdown; cortisol is the most hated by bodybuilders. Cortisol promotes fat gain and causes protein breakdown. Oxandrolone is also known for promoting an increase in red blood cell count, which will enhance muscular endurance. Some studies have even shown that this steroid has the ability to promote increased cardiovascular endurance. Last but not least, Oxandrolone is one of the only true fat burning steroids. Most all anabolic steroids indirectly promote fat loss by increasing the body's metabolic rate, but Oxandrolone has been shown to directly promote fat breakdown. Many attribute this to its ability to bind firmly to the androgen receptor, as well as its ability to lower thyroid-binding globulin, and increase thyroxine-binding prealbumin. This action results in a higher degree of utilization of the triiodothyronine hormone or T3 hormone. The fat burning effects of oxandrolone are not entirely conclusive; however, most data strongly suggest that oxandrolone is a potent enhancer of lipolysis.
Oxandrolone product history:
Oxandrolone was first developed in 1962, and a few years later, the pharmaceutical giant GDSearle & Co. (now Pfizer) developed it into a drug and sold it in the U.S. and the Netherlands under the trade name Anavar. Searle also sells the drug in various countries under different brand names, including Lonavar (Argentina, Australia), Lipidex (Brazil), Antitriol (Spain), Anatrophill (France). Oxandrolone is designed to be an extremely mild oral anabolic steroid that can even be used safely by women and children. In this regard, Searle appears to be successful, as oxandrolone has been shown to be highly successful and well tolerated in men, women and children. Early on, oxandrolone has been offered for a variety of therapeutic applications, including promoting lean body mass growth during catabolic diseases,
By the 1980s, the FDA had slightly improved the approval application for Oxandrolone r, including promoting weight gain after surgery, chronic infection, trauma, or weight loss in the absence of an established pathophysiological cause. Despite an ongoing record of safety in use, Searle decided to voluntarily stop selling Oxandrolone on July 1, 1989. Lagging sales and public concern about the athletic use of anabolic steroids appear to be at the root of this decision. With Searle taking Oxandrolone off the market, Oxandrolone has completely disappeared from U.S. pharmacies. It wasn't long before oxandrolone products (often sold or licensed by Searle) from the international market also began to disappear, and for several years in the early 1990s, the world's leading manufacturers of the drug exited the anabolic steroid business.
It took about six years for Oxandrolone to return to the U.S. market. The product returned to pharmacy shelves in December 1995, this time under the Oxandrin name by Bio-Technology General Corp. (BTG). BTG will continue to market it for FDA-approved uses involving lean mass preservation, but is also granted orphan drug status for the treatment of AIDS wasting, alcoholic hepatitis, Turner syndrome in girls, and constitutional delays in growth and puberty in young males. Orphan drug status gives BTG a seven-year monopoly on these new-use drugs, allowing them to maintain very high selling prices. Many patients will be billed $3.75 to $30 a day (at wholesale prices) for the drug, which is many times more than what Anavar cost a few years ago. Oxandrin® continues to be sold in the United States, but is now under the Savient label (previously known as BTG). It is currently FDA-approved for "adjuvant therapy to promote weight gain following extensive surgery, chronic infection, or severe trauma, and in some patients who have failed to gain or maintain normal weight for no clear pathophysiological reason, to offset the association between protein and long-term Catabolism associated with taking corticosteroids, and relief of bone pain that often accompanies osteoporosis.
Structural characteristics of oxandrolone: Illustration: (middle) http://xiezuo.oss-cn-shanghai.aliyuncs.com/579651/picture1552916211836-69.png
Oxandrolone is a modified form of DHT. It differs by: adding a methyl group at carbon 17-alpha to protect the hormone during oral administration; and replacing carbon-2 in the A-ring with an oxygen atom. With substitution of its basic ring structure, this alteration significantly increases the anabolic intensity of the steroid (in part by making it resistant to metabolism by 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in skeletal muscle tissue).
Oxandrolone pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 97%
Protein binding 94-97%
Metabolic pathways kidney (mainly), liver
Elimination half-life
Adult: 9.4-10.4 hours
Elderly: 13.3 hours
Excretion route
Urine: 28%
Feces: 3%
Oxandrolone side effects (estrogen):
Oxandrolone is not aromatized by the body and has no measurable estrogen. Oxandrolone also did not provide relevant progestin activity. Antiestrogens are not required when using Oxandrolone because there is no need to worry about gynecomastia even in sensitive individuals. Since estrogen is the usual culprit in water storage, Oxandrolone can provide the body with a lean, premium appearance without worrying about water storage. This makes it an advantageous steroid to use during a fat loss preparation cycle. Oxandrolone is also very popular in strength/speed sports like sprinting, swimming and gymnastics. In these sports, people generally don't want to store too much water, and the clean lean mass gain that Oxandrolone provides is very beneficial for them.
Oxandrolone side effects (androgens):
Oxandrolone is not a very potent androgenic steroid, but it does have androgenic activity. This activity can lead to acne, accelerated male pattern baldness and body hair growth. However, most do not have problems with these effects because total androgenic properties remain low. Important point; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are often used to combat androgenic side effects from anabolic steroid use. However, this did not have a strong effect when oxandrolone was used because oxandrolone is not affected by 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is responsible for reducing testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, but Oxandrolone is already dihydrotestosterone.
Androgenic properties, although mild, can also promote virilization symptoms in women. Virilization symptoms include body hair growth, deepening of the vocal cords, and an enlarged clitoris. Thankfully, Oxandrolone has a very low masculinization index; most women can supplement without being affected by this. Oxandrolone remains the safest anabolic steroid for women, although there are issues with reactions in some sensitive individuals. If virilization symptoms do appear for any reason, it is recommended that you stop using them immediately, they will gradually disappear. If symptoms are ignored, they may become permanent.
Oxandrolone side effects (hepatotoxicity):
As a C17-aa anabolic steroid, Oxandrolone is hepatotoxic to the liver. Liver enzyme levels generally increase with use, however, the hepatotoxicity of oxandrolone is arguably very low among all C17-aa steroids. Data suggest that therapeutic doses may not significantly increase liver enzyme values. Of course the doses used by athletes are another story, but the hepatotoxicity will still be significantly lower than most C17-aa anabolic steroids. It is also important to remember that an increase in liver enzyme values does not equate to liver damage, but rather is a manifestation of increased liver pressure.
Oxandrolone or any C17-aa anabolic steroid should not be used if the user already suffers from any type of liver problem.
Excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided when using C17-aa anabolic steroids, as this can place a great burden on the liver. In fact, if for no other reason than its anti-sexual effects, most people should try to avoid alcohol as much as possible.
The reason why Oxandrolone is less hepatotoxic than other C17-aa steroids has also been studied by its original manufacturer, GDSearle & Co (Ruihui) identified Oxandrolone as similar to other 17-alpha alkylated oral hepatic Steroids that are not extensively metabolized, which may be a factor in their reduced hepatotoxicity. It turns out that more than a third of the oxandrolone was still intact when excreted in urine. Another study comparing oxandrolone with other oral steroids showed that oxandrolone resulted in the retention of the most tested agent of sodium sulfobromophthalein (BSP; a marker of liver stress), compared with an equivalent dose of fluoxymesterone, 20 mg. Oxandrolone produced a 72% reduction in BSP retention, which is a considerable difference since they were both 17-alpha alkylated. A recent study looked at escalating doses (20mg, 40mg and 80mg) of oxandrolone in 262 HIV+ men. Oxandrolone was used for 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant trend towards hepatotoxicity in liver enzyme (AST/ALT; aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) values in the group taking 20 mg of oxandrolone daily. Those men taking 40mg noticed an average increase of about 30-50% in liver enzymes, while those taking 80mg noticed an increase of about 50-100%. Based on AST and ALT values, WHO grade III and IV toxicities were noted in approximately 10-11% of patients in the 40 mg group. That number jumped to 15 percent in the 80 mg group. Although serious liver toxicity cannot be ruled out for oxandrolone, these studies do suggest that it is safer than other oral steroids.
Oxandrolone side effects (cardiovascular, blood lipids):
Oxandrolone has a strong impact on the hepatic management of cholesterol due to its structural resistance to hepatic destruction, non-aromatizable nature and route of administration. In the previously cited study of HIV+ men, taking 20 mg of oxandrolone daily for 12 weeks resulted in a 30% reduction in mean serum HDL. The HDL value of the 40mg group was suppressed by 33%, and the HDL value of the 80mg group was suppressed by 50%. This was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in LDL values (approximately 30-33%) in the 40 mg and 80 mg groups, further increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and cause left ventricular hypertrophy, all of which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.
For a time, Rifford saw Oxandrolone as a drug for people with high cholesterol or triglycerides. Early research suggests that oxandrolone can lower total cholesterol and triglyceride values in people with certain types of hyperlipidemia, which is thought to mean the drug may act as a lipid-lowering drug. However, upon further investigation it was found that any reduction in total cholesterol value was accompanied by a redistribution of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the proportion of good cholesterol (HDL), which would favor a greater risk of atherosclerosis. This negates any positive effect the drug might have on triglycerides or total cholesterol, and actually makes it a potential risk for heart risk, especially when taken for extended periods of time. As an oral c17α alkylating steroid, oxandrolone has a greater effect on blood lipids than esterified injections such as testosterone or deca.
To help reduce cardiovascular damage and the effects of blood lipids, it is advisable to proactively maintain an active aerobic exercise program and minimize saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrate intake during steroid use. Fish oil supplementation (4 grams per day) and natural cholesterol/antioxidant product side effects (testosterone suppression) are also recommended:
Oxandrolone side effects (HPTA hypothalamic inhibition of its own testosterone secretion):
All anabolic/androgenic steroids are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain. Oxandrolone is no exception. In the study of HIV+ men cited above, 20 mg per day or 40 mg per day for 12 weeks resulted in approximately a 45% reduction in serum testosterone levels. The group taking 80 mg noticed a 66% reduction in testosterone. A similar reduction trend was noted in LH production, with the 20 mg and 40 mg doses resulting in a 25-30% reduction, and a more than 50% reduction noted in the 80 mg group. In addition, a study of boys with constitutive delays in puberty showed suppression of endogenous LH and testosterone at only 2.5 mg per day.
Use of Oxandrolone
Standard oxandrolone doses for therapeutic treatment are usually in the range of 5-10 mg per day, with 20 mg per day usually being the maximum dose. This use is usually continued for 2-4 weeks, with a slight interruption after use, before implementing the next 2-4 week cycle. as long as there is continued
The use of oxandrolone will continue as necessary for treatment.
For male athletes, doses of 20-30mg per day can improve performance to some extent, but most will find 40-50mg per day more effective. 80mg per day is not uncommon, but this increases the risk of side effects. Oxandrolone cycles generally last 6-8 weeks.
For female athletes, 5-10 mg per day is usually the optimal dose, regardless of the purpose of use. Few women need more than 10mg per day. If more is needed and 10mg per day is well tolerated, then 15mg per day can be tried. However, each dose increase increases the risk of virilization. The daily dose of 20mg will greatly increase the risk of masculinization, if any masculinizing characteristics appear, discontinue use immediately. Women use Oxandrolone for the same cycle as men, generally lasting 6-8 weeks.
Product Manual:
