Anabolic steroidAndrogenDHT derivativeOral 17α-alkylated
Oxandrolone
Also known as Anavar · Var · Oxandrin
A mild oral DHT-derived steroid with a genuine clinical history in burns and wasting. Popular for strength and definition without water retention — with a worse lipid profile than its gentle reputation suggests.
01 Overview
Oxandrolone is 17α-alkylated to survive oral dosing but is unusually mild on the liver for that class. It does not aromatise, so gains are lean and dry.
Its reputation as "mild" is accurate for androgenic and hepatic effects but misleading on lipids, where it is disproportionately harsh.
02 Mechanism
DHT-derived androgen-receptor agonist. Non-aromatising, so effects are lean without oestrogenic water retention; strongly suppresses HDL via hepatic lipase.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic | 5–20 mg/day | Oral | Clinical range for wasting and burns recovery. |
| Common | 20–50 mg/day | Oral | Physique use; lipid impact scales quickly. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased strengthWithout significant mass or water gain | Moderate | Clinical | |
| Lean, dry appearanceNon-aromatising, so no oestrogenic bloat | Moderate | Observational | |
| Preserved lean mass in a deficitThe basis of its clinical use in wasting | Demonstrated | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe HDL suppressionDisproportionately harsh on lipids relative to its mild reputation — HDL can fall 30–50%. | Severe | Very common | Clinical | |
| Hepatic strainMild for a 17-AA oral, but still present; transaminase elevations occur. | Mild | Common | Clinical |
06 Legal status
United States
Schedule III controlled
Prescription only · as of Jan 2026
United Kingdom
Class C controlled
as of Jan 2026
07 References
Oxandrolone in the treatment of burn injuries: a systematic reviewJ Burn Care Res
08 Discussion0 comments
Discussion is moderated. No sourcing, vendor names or price talk — those comments are removed, and repeat posts are banned.
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.