Oxymetholone (Injectable)
An oil- or water-based injectable preparation of oxymetholone (Anadrol), a powerful 17-alpha-alkylated DHT-derived oral steroid. Injecting the unesterified molecule aims to reduce the digestive burden of high oral tablet doses, but because oxymetholone retains its 17-alpha-alkyl group it remains hepatotoxic by injection. It produces dramatic mass and strength gains alongside significant water retention and side effects.
01 Overview
Oxymetholone is one of the strongest oral mass-builders, used medically for anemia and wasting. Some underground labs offer an injectable form on the theory that parenteral delivery lessens gastrointestinal upset and possibly liver exposure. In reality the 17-alpha-alkylation that makes it orally active is unchanged, so hepatotoxicity persists regardless of route.
The compound does not bind the estrogen receptor as a classic aromatising steroid, yet it causes marked estrogen-like water retention and can trigger gynecomastia, an effect attributed to intrinsic estrogenic activity of the molecule itself rather than aromatisation, which aromatase inhibitors do not fully control. Injectable oxymetholone therefore carries the same risk profile as the oral with the added risks of injection.
02 Mechanism
Oxymetholone is a potent androgen receptor agonist with intrinsic estrogenic activity; the 17-alpha-alkyl group confers oral activity and hepatic strain that persist when injected.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 50–100 mg/day | IM | Equivalent to typical oral dosing; measured per day, not per week. |
| High | 100–150 mg/day | IM | Higher doses sharply increase side-effect risk. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid mass and strength gainsAmong the fastest weight gainers, though a large fraction is water. | Several kg in weeks (much water) | Clinical | |
| Improved anemia / red cell productionIts clinical use for anemia reflects strong erythropoietic effect. | Raised hemoglobin | Clinical |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estrogen-like water retention and gynecomastiaSevere bloating, raised blood pressure and gynecomastia not controlled by aromatase inhibitors. | Moderate | Very common | Clinical | |
| HepatotoxicityMarked liver enzyme elevation, cholestasis and rare peliosis hepatis / tumors with prolonged use. | Severe | Common at cycle doses | Clinical | |
| HPTA suppressionStrong suppression of endogenous testosterone. | Severe | Universal | Clinical |