Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
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 | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Commonly used with
What ligandrol is combined with, and why. This is about intent rather than safety — the interactions table below covers what is dangerous. Nothing here is listed without what it costs.
| Compound | Frequency | Purpose & trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Stacked compounds | ||
| Ostarinerecomp | Ostarine is stacked in as a milder muscle-preservation agent so the pair covers both size and conditioning during a lean bulk or recomp.Trade-off: Two suppressive SARMs together deepen the hormonal shutdown beyond either alone, making a proper PCT more necessary. | |
| Cardarineendurance | A non-hormonal endurance and fat-loss add-on that offsets the sluggish conditioning some report on a ligandrol bulk.Trade-off: Cardarine's rodent carcinogenicity signal and absence of long-term human data mean it adds its own risk rather than being a free benefit. | |
| Support & ancillaries | ||
| TestosteroneTRT base | Some run a TRT-dose testosterone base to keep androgen levels and libido functional given ligandrol's suppression.Trade-off: This converts a nominally oral-only cycle into an injectable steroid cycle, adding aromatisation, blood-pressure and full-suppression concerns. | |
| Post-cycle | ||
| ClomifenePCT | Used as post-cycle therapy to restart natural testosterone, as ligandrol is reliably suppressive even at moderate doses.Trade-off: Clomifene frequently causes mood swings and visual disturbances, and recovery is not assured after longer or higher-dose runs. | |