SARMSARMNon-steroidalOral

Ligandrol (LGD-4033)

Also known as LGD-4033 · VK5211 · Anabolicum

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is a non-steroidal SARM with higher potency than ostarine, studied in small Phase I trials for safety and lean-mass effects. It is popular in anecdotal recreational use for strength and size but reliably suppresses testosterone even at low milligram doses. It is unapproved, prohibited in sport, and linked to case reports of liver injury.

01 Overview

LGD-4033, developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and later Viking Therapeutics, showed dose-dependent increases in lean body mass and dose-dependent testosterone suppression in a three-week Phase I study in healthy men. Its higher androgen-receptor affinity means effects and suppression appear at lower doses than ostarine.

Clinical data remain limited to early-phase safety work; no efficacy trials support recreational claims. Ligandrol is a recurrent cause of anti-doping violations and appears in case reports of hepatotoxicity. Like other SARMs it is sold only as an unregulated research chemical.

02 Mechanism

High-affinity, tissue-selective androgen-receptor agonist that promotes anabolic signalling in muscle and bone with reduced action on androgenic tissues.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Light	2–5 mg/day	Oral	1 mg produced measurable lean-mass gain in trials; recreational use often exceeds this.
Common	5–10 mg/day	Oral	Anecdotal range; suppression scales with dose.

Ester comparison

Ester	Half-life	Injection freq.	Testosterone by mass

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Increased lean body massA Phase I study found dose-dependent lean-mass increases over placebo in healthy young men.	~+1.2 kg over 3 weeks at 1 mg	Clinical
Increased strengthUsers report notable strength gains; not quantified in controlled trials.		Anecdotal

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Testosterone suppressionDose-dependent suppression of total testosterone, SHBG, LH and FSH observed even at 1 mg; recovery within weeks of stopping in the trial.	Moderate	Near-universal	Clinical
HDL cholesterol reductionTransient dose-dependent decreases in HDL reported in trials.	Moderate	Common	Clinical
HepatotoxicityCase reports describe cholestatic or hepatocellular liver injury after LGD-4033 use.	Moderate	Rare	Observational

06 Legal status

United States

Not FDA-approved; unlawful as dietary supplement

as of

Australia

Schedule 4 (prescription-only) in Australia

as of

07 References

Safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LGD-4033 in healthy menJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2013

Ligandrol clinical literaturePubMed

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.