SARMNon-steroidalSARMExperimental

GSK2881078

Also known as GSK-2881078 · GSK2881078

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20261 sources0 comments

GSK2881078 is a non-steroidal SARM developed by GlaxoSmithKline that reached early-phase human trials for muscle wasting and sarcopenia, including studies in older adults and patients with COPD. It produced modest measurable increases in lean mass and is one of the better-characterised experimental SARMs, though still far from approval.

01 Overview

GSK2881078 stands out among experimental SARMs because it advanced into Phase I/II clinical study. Trials in healthy older men and postmenopausal women, and in COPD patients with muscle wasting, showed small but measurable gains in lean body mass over weeks of dosing, alongside the expected reductions in HDL cholesterol and sex-hormone-binding globulin.

Development did not lead to approval, and long-term efficacy on physical function was not established. Still, the presence of real, if early, human pharmacokinetic and safety data places it above most SARMs in how well it is characterised. It is not a marketed product.

02 Mechanism

Non-steroidal androgen receptor agonist that selectively stimulates anabolic pathways in skeletal muscle, increasing lean mass while producing weaker androgenic effects elsewhere.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Trial range	0.75–10 mg/day	Oral	Doses studied in Phase I/II; not a validated physique protocol.

Ester comparison

Ester	Half-life	Injection freq.	Testosterone by mass

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Increased lean body massSmall but measurable lean mass gains in early human trials over several weeks.	~0.5-1.5 kg	Clinical
Improved muscle in wasting conditionsLean mass increases seen in COPD patients with muscle wasting.		Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Transient liver enzyme elevationMild elevations in transaminases observed in some subjects.	Mild	Reported	Clinical
HDL cholesterol reductionLowered HDL cholesterol observed across dosing, a class effect of oral SARMs.	Moderate	Consistent in trials	Clinical
HPTA suppression / SHBG reductionReduced sex-hormone-binding globulin and suppression of endogenous androgen signalling.	Moderate	Consistent in trials	Clinical

06 Legal status

United States

Not approved; investigational

Not FDA-approved; banned in sport by WADA. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GSK2881078, a SARM, in healthy older subjectsBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.