Anadrol
Oxymetholone · A50 · Drol
Potent oral mass builder; high water retention and significant hepatotoxicity.
Key takeaways
- Potent oral DHT derivative approved for anemia; known for rapid mass gain and water retention.
- ~8-hour half-life, ~95% bioavailability; once- or twice-daily oral dosing.
- Estrogenic side effects despite being DHT-derived, via a non-aromatase pathway.
- Severe hepatotoxicity plus HDL suppression; liver enzymes and lipids are the core monitoring set.
Overview
What it is
Anadrol (oxymetholone) is a potent oral 17-alpha-alkylated DHT derivative, FDA-approved for anemias involving deficient red-cell production. It drives erythropoiesis strongly and builds mass fast, which is where the reputation comes from. Despite being DHT-derived, it produces estrogenic effects (water retention, gynecomastia) through a non-aromatase pathway, so aromatase inhibitors don't control them.
Pharmacokinetics
The ~8-hour half-life supports once- or twice-daily oral dosing, with ~95% bioavailability and a peak a few hours post-dose.
Harm reduction
Severe hepatotoxicity is the headline risk, alongside HDL suppression and blood pressure. Liver enzymes, lipids, and hematocrit are the core monitoring set, and HPTA suppression is rapid and complete.
Reported dosing protocols
Protocols reported in research literature and clinic/community use — informational context, not a dosing recommendation.
| Use case | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anemia (label) | 1–5 mg/kg/day (50–100 mg typical) | Oral | 1–2× daily | Months, response-driven |
| Mass (community) | 25–100 mg daily | Oral | 1–2× daily | 4–6 weeks |
Pharmacokinetic summary
- Model tier
- Advanced (t½ + Cmax + Tmax + F)
- Half-life
- 8.0 hours
- Cmax
- 500 ng/dL
- Tmax
- 0.1 days
- Bioavailability
- 95%
- Typical dose
- 25–100 mg
Harm reduction
- Aromatizes
- Yes
- DHT derivative
- Yes
- Hepatotoxicity
- severe
- Injection frequency
- Oral, 1–2×/day
Frequently asked questions
What is Anadrol prescribed for?
Anemias caused by deficient red-cell production, including aplastic anemia. It stimulates erythropoiesis strongly. The same property, plus rapid nitrogen retention and water gain, is behind its reputation as a fast mass builder in performance contexts.
Does Anadrol convert to estrogen?
Not through aromatase; it's a DHT derivative and can't aromatize. Yet water retention and gynecomastia are commonly reported, likely from direct estrogenic activity of the drug or its metabolites. Aromatase inhibitors therefore don't reliably control these effects.
How hepatotoxic is Anadrol?
Among the worst orals in this dataset. It's 17-alpha-alkylated, and longer runs are associated with elevated liver enzymes, cholestasis, and peliosis in case literature. Reported protocols keep cycles to 4–6 weeks for that reason.
References
- Oxymetholone PK study
- Oxymetholone pharmacokinetics (GC-MS, human plasma) — PK study behind the half-life and bioavailability figures.
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