The Peptide Desk The Peptide Desk

This information is for research and educational purposes only. No medical recommendations. Products are not approved for human use. For health questions, consult a doctor.

Lexicon
Muscle & performance

Anavar (Oxandrolone)

The mild oral anabolic - dry gains with a low side effect profile.

1 min read 10 sources

To the product To the sources
Still from the explainer video about this entry
Formerly approved · from 1964, withdrawn in the USA in 2023Lab tested in the shop

No time to read it all? The video sums up the whole entry in about a minute, from how it works to the studies and storage.

Summary

At a glance

Sources checked on 26 Oct 2026

Fat-free mass in 12 weeks
+3.0 kg

Healthy men aged 60 to 87, more than on placebo, gone again after stopping2

Shorter hospital stay after burns
−3 days

Meta-analysis of 15 trials with 806 participants, acute phase5

Raised liver enzymes
32 %

Pressure ulcer trial in spinal cord injury, placebo 3 percent6

Phase 3 trials in the registry
5 trials

two of them stopped early, as of 26 Oct 20267

  • Oxandrolone is an oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroid from the DHT family. For decades it was approved for weight loss after injuries, surgery and infections.18
  • In older men fat-free mass rose by 3.0 kg in 12 weeks and strength by 5 to 9 percent. Twelve weeks after stopping, mass and strength were back at baseline while most of the fat loss remained.2
  • After severe burns oxandrolone shortened the hospital stay and slowed weight loss. In pressure ulcers it did not help.546
  • Liver enzymes rose in about one third, HDL fell and LDL rose. The body's own hormone production was suppressed.63
  • In 2023 the US FDA withdrew the approval and found the benefit-risk balance unfavourable without substantial evidence of effectiveness. Everything here is the state of research, not a recommendation.109
Profile

Updated June 2026

How long does it stay in the body?

Share left after one dose, calculated with a half-life of ~9 hours

Half-life ~9 hours
After 18 hours: 25 %
Hour 9 · 50 %Hour 18 · 25 %Hour 27 · 12.5 %Hour 45 · 3.1 %

Simplified model without an absorption phase, half-life from the TPD lexicon.

Class
Oral anabolic

DHT derivative, 17a-alkylated

Use
Oral

1-2x per day

Half-life
about 9 hours
WADA
banned

anabolic

Sizes
10 mg

1 size in the shop

Contents 13 sections
  1. At a glance
  2. What is Anavar?
  3. How it works
  4. How to use it
  5. Dosing
  6. What the research shows
  7. Research status
  8. Side effects
  9. Storage
  10. Related compounds
  11. FAQ
  12. Glossary
  13. Sources

What is Anavar?

Anavar (active: oxandrolone) is an oral, 17a-alkylated DHT derivative. It is considered one of the mildest anabolics overall - low androgenic profile, no aromatization to estrogen, little water retention. Clinically it was used for decades for muscle wasting, burns and after major surgery.

This information is for research and educational purposes only. No medical advice.

Comparison

Oral compounds at the androgen receptor

Oral steroids and a non-steroidal modulator, as stated in the TPD lexicon. Tap a card to open its entry.

Steroid, tablet Anavar (Oxandrolone) AR
Steroid, tablet Anadrol (Oxymetholone) AR Steroid, tablet Winstrol (Stanozolol) AR Receptor modulator (SARM) Ostarine (MK-2866) AR

Simplified: all act via the androgen receptor. Oxandrolone, oxymetholone and stanozolol are 17-alpha-alkylated steroids, ostarine is a modulator without a steroid skeleton. 18

How it works

Oxandrolone activates the androgen receptor and raises protein synthesis and nitrogen retention. Because it does not aromatize there is no estrogen-related water retention - gains look dry and defined. That makes it interesting in research contexts for cutting and definition phases.

Where it acts

Where oxandrolone acted in studies

Tap a point or a card. Colour = androgen receptor, grey = observed in studies.

  1. Skeletal muscle

    Fat-free mass, thigh muscle area and strength rose within 12 weeks2

    AR
  2. Skin and wounds

    After burns skin graft donor sites healed 4.4 days faster on average5

    Observed in trials
  3. Fat tissue

    Total fat -1.9 kg and trunk fat -1.3 kg in 12 weeks, mostly stayed down after stopping2

    Observed in trials
  4. Liver

    Raised liver enzymes in 32 percent, on placebo in 3 percent6

    Observed in trials
  5. Heart and blood lipids

    LDL rose and HDL fell3

    Observed in trials
  6. Testes and hormone axis

    LH, FSH and total and free testosterone fell markedly3

    Observed in trials

Targets in the ChEMBL database8

Compound CHEMBL1200436: one recorded mechanism, agonist with direct binding to the human receptor.

Androgen receptor
Gene
AR
UniProt
P10275
ChEMBL
CHEMBL1871
Action
Agonist, direct binding
Two blue steroid molecules resting in hollows on glass muscle fibres, a glass ring at the top right
Action via the androgen receptor in muscle. Symbolic image.

How to use it

Dosing. Loading the dosing information …
White folding box with the TPD logo next to a blister with ten white tablets, two loose tablets in front
Oxandrolone as a tablet to swallow. Symbolic image.

Dosing

Dosing

Dosing, titration and syringe

Loading the dosing information …

  • Getting started and stepping up, drawn as a staircase
  • Units on the U-100 syringe for every step
  • How long one vial lasts

What the research shows

The review by Orr & Fiatarone Singh (Drugs, 2004) summarizes over 30 years of clinical experience: in studies on HIV wasting, severe burns and catabolic states, oxandrolone improves fat-free mass and wound healing, with a comparatively favorable safety profile under monitoring.

Study results

What the trials measured

Interactive: switch tabs, tap points, show or hide arms. Arms are named relative to each other, no dosing advice.

Body composition after 12 weeks2

32 healthy men aged 60 to 87, change in kg on oxandrolone

Fat-free mass2
Oxandrolone, one study level +3.0 kg
Body water2
Oxandrolone, one study level +2.9 kg
Total fat2
Oxandrolone, one study level -1.9 kg
Trunk fat2
Oxandrolone, one study level -1.3 kg

All changes larger than on placebo (placebo values not given in the abstract). Much of the gain was body water. Twelve weeks after stopping, fat-free mass and strength were back at baseline while fat stayed down at -1.5 kg.

Weight and body cell mass3

262 men with weight loss, three levels against placebo, gain in kg

Body weight3
Placebo +1.1 kg
Lowest level +1.8 kg
Middle level +2.8 kg
Highest level (highest study dose, 80 mg per day) +2.3 kg
Body cell mass3
Placebo +0.5 kg
Lowest level +0.9 kg
Middle level +1.5 kg
Highest level (highest study dose, 80 mg per day) +1.8 kg

Weight also rose on placebo. Only weight at the middle level and body cell mass at the middle and highest level beat placebo. In return the body's own hormones fell, liver enzymes and LDL rose and HDL fell.

Healed pressure ulcers6

212 people with spinal cord injury, share healed in percent

Pressure ulcer healed6
Placebo 29.8%
Oxandrolone, one study level 24.1%

No benefit over placebo, the trial was stopped early for futility. Liver enzymes rose in 32.4 percent on oxandrolone and in 2.9 percent on placebo.

Glass block with skin layers and a glass muscle on a bright lab shelf, stacked Petri dishes beside them
Studies on burns, wounds and muscle wasting. Symbolic image.

Research status

Where the research stands

Selection from 21 entries on ClinicalTrials.gov, without withdrawn, suspended and undated ones. Many studies cover burns, children with Turner or Klinefelter syndrome and wasting. Almost all test tablets, one running study an implant under the skin. As of 26 Oct 2026. 7

  1. Preclinical Over 30 years of clinical use, review of efficacy and safety
  2. Phase 1 4 trials, 4 completed
  3. Phase 2 4 trials, 2 completed, 1 stopped early
  4. Phase 3 5 trials, 3 completed, 2 stopped early
  5. Approval from 1964, withdrawn in the USA in 2023
212 participants in phase 3 ChEMBL lists oxandrolone with phase 4 and first approval in 1964. In the USA all tablet approvals were withdrawn in 2023 at the makers' request. The FDA determined they left the market for reasons of safety or effectiveness.10
Show all 10 trials on a timelineHide timeline 5 completed 1 running 4 stopped early 1 with results
Phase 2
Phase 3
Without phase

Bar: start to primary endpoint (planned for running trials). Green = completed, blue = progress until 26 Oct 2026, grey = stopped early. Phase 1: 4 trials on safety and pharmacokinetics, not shown as bars.

Side effects

  • Liver: 17a-alkylated, ALT/AST can rise. Liver support and limited duration make sense.
  • Lipids: can lower HDL markedly - a known downside of oral anabolics.
  • HPTA suppression: even mild anabolics suppress your own production.
  • Barely any estrogen side effects, since no aromatization.

Tolerability

Raised liver enzymes

Out of 100 participants, in how many liver enzymes rose.

3 of 100 Placebo
32 of 100 Oxandrolone, one study level
Event PlaceboOxandrolone, one study level
Liver enzymes raised6 3%32%

This trial saw no serious side effects caused by oxandrolone. In HIV too liver enzymes and LDL rose while HDL fell. The FDA cites from the label blood-filled liver cysts, liver tumours, bile congestion and blood lipid changes with a higher risk of atherosclerosis.63110

Storage

Store dry and cool, protected from light. Out of reach of children.

Three white tablet bottles and a folded light blue towel on a white shelf
Store dry, cool and protected from light. Symbolic image.

Related

Related compounds

Same receptors: all in the TPD lexicon.

Anavar (Oxandrolone)
Anadrol (Oxymetholone) Another oral steroid, also studied in wasting Winstrol (Stanozolol) Another oral steroid from the DHT family Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) Another 17-alpha-alkylated steroid as a tablet Ostarine (MK-2866) Non-steroidal modulator, also studied against muscle wasting Testosterone Enanthate Testosterone itself, as an injection

FAQ

Common questions about Anavar (Oxandrolone)

Short answers, each backed by the sources below.

What is oxandrolone?

Oxandrolone is an oral steroid from the DHT family with a methyl group at position 17 (17-alpha-alkylated). For over 30 years it was used in HIV wasting, after severe burns, injuries and surgery and in muscle diseases.18

What did the study in older men show?

32 healthy men aged 60 to 87 received oxandrolone or placebo for 12 weeks. Fat-free mass rose by 3.0 kg with almost as much body water added. Maximum strength rose by 5 to 9 percent depending on the exercise and fat fell by 1.9 kg. Twelve weeks after stopping, mass and strength were back at baseline while most of the fat loss remained.2

What did research in HIV wasting show?

262 men with weight loss received placebo or one of three levels. All groups gained weight, including placebo. Only the middle level gave more weight than placebo, body cell mass rose more at the middle and highest level. The body's own hormones fell markedly, liver enzymes and LDL rose and HDL fell.3

Does oxandrolone help after burns?

In the acute phase yes: in a trial with 81 adults participants stayed in hospital for 31.6 instead of 43.3 days. A meta-analysis of 15 trials with 806 participants found about 3 days shorter stays, 4.4 days faster healing of donor sites and 5 kg less weight loss. Mortality, infections and liver problems did not differ.45

Does it help with chronic wounds?

Not in pressure ulcers. In a trial with 212 people with spinal cord injury 24.1 percent of ulcers healed on oxandrolone and 29.8 percent on placebo. The trial was stopped early for futility.6

How mild is oxandrolone on the liver?

Milder than some other 17-alpha-alkylated steroids but not harmless. A review names temporarily raised liver enzymes and falling HDL as the most common side effects. In the pressure ulcer trial liver enzymes rose in 32.4 percent, on placebo in 2.9 percent. The label warned of blood-filled liver cysts and liver tumours.1610

Why is it no longer approved in the USA?

In 2023 the makers withdrew their approvals and the FDA revoked them. The agency then determined that the tablets left the market for reasons of safety or effectiveness: without substantial evidence of effectiveness the benefit-risk balance was unfavourable.910

Glossary

Terms explained briefly

Dotted words in the text open these explanations directly.

17-alpha alkylation
An extra methyl group on the steroid. It makes it active by mouth but strains the liver.
Androgen receptor
Protein inside the cell that testosterone and its derivatives bind to. Genes are then read, for example for muscle building.
Aromatisation
Conversion of an androgen into oestrogen by the enzyme aromatase. It can lead to water retention and breast growth.
DHT derivative
Steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. Such steroids are not converted into oestrogen.
Fat-free mass
Body weight without fat: muscle, bone, organs and water. Water can make up a large part of the gain.
HDL cholesterol
The so-called good cholesterol. If it falls, the risk of vessel plaque rises.
Hormone axis (HPTA)
Hypothalamus, pituitary and testes together control the body's own testosterone production. Steroids from outside suppress this axis.
Liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
Enzymes from liver cells in the blood. If they rise, liver cells are irritated or damaged.
Nitrogen retention
The body keeps more nitrogen than it excretes. This is seen as a sign of protein build-up.
Placebo
Dummy preparation without active substance. Comparing against it shows what is due to the substance itself.
Wasting
Unintended loss of weight and muscle mass in serious illness, for example HIV, cancer or after burns.

Evidence

Sources

Show all 10 sourcesHide sources 6 Studies1 Trial registry3 Database checked 26 Oct 2026

Studies

  1. Review of oxandrolone in wasting and catabolic disorders

    Orr und Fiatarone Singh, Drugs, 2004

    DOI 10.2165/00003495-200464070-00004 PMID 15025546
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  2. Oxandrolone in older men and what remains after stopping

    Schroeder et al., Journal of Applied Physiology, 2004

    DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.00808.2003 PMID 14578370
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  3. Three levels against placebo in HIV-associated weight loss

    Grunfeld et al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2006

    DOI 10.1097/01.qai.0000197546.56131.40 PMID 16540931
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  4. Multicentre trial in severe burns: length of stay

    Wolf et al., Journal of Burn Care and Research, 2006

    DOI 10.1097/01.BCR.0000202620.55751.4F PMID 16566555
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  5. Meta-analysis of 15 trials in severe burns

    Li et al., Burns, 2016

    DOI 10.1016/j.burns.2015.08.023 PMID 26454425
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  6. Pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury: no benefit over placebo

    Bauman et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2013

    DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-158-10-201305210-00006 PMID 23689765 NCT00101361
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov API v2

Trial registry

  1. Oxandrolone trials on ClinicalTrials.gov

    ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2

Database

  1. Oxandrolone in ChEMBL (mechanism and approval)

    ChEMBL, EMBL-EBI (CHEMBL1200436)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ChEMBL
  2. FDA withdraws the US approvals of oxandrolone tablets

    Federal Register, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 28.06.2023 (2023-13733)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via Federal Register API
  3. FDA: oxandrolone tablets withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectiveness

    Federal Register, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 13.09.2023 (2023-19796)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via Federal Register API

In the shop

Anavar (Oxandrolone) in the catalog

Sizes, prices and shipping times are on the product page.

To the product