Anavar
Oxandrolone · Var
Mild oral oxandrolone; favored in cutting and female use due to low androgenicity.
Key takeaways
- Oral DHT derivative approved for weight regain after trauma, surgery, and chronic infection.
- ~9.5-hour half-life, peak around 90 minutes; twice-daily oral dosing is standard.
- No aromatization and low androgenicity; the mildest profile among the common orals.
- Main risks are HDL suppression and mild hepatotoxicity; lipids are the monitoring priority.
Overview
What it is
Anavar (oxandrolone) is an oral 17-alpha-alkylated DHT derivative, FDA-approved to promote weight regain after severe trauma, surgery, and chronic infection. An A-ring oxygen atom gives it a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio and one of the mildest profiles among oral AAS, which is why it's favored in cutting contexts and by female users.
Pharmacokinetics
The ~9.5-hour half-life and ~63% bioavailability support twice-daily oral dosing, with peak serum levels roughly 90 minutes post-dose. It doesn't aromatize and, as a DHT derivative, isn't further 5-alpha-reduced.
Harm reduction
Hepatotoxicity is mild for a 17-alpha-alkylated oral, but HDL suppression is significant and dose-dependent. Liver enzymes and lipids are the monitoring priorities; HPTA suppression occurs but stays comparatively gentle at lower doses.
Reported dosing protocols
Protocols reported in research literature and clinic/community use — informational context, not a dosing recommendation.
| Use case | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight regain (label) | 2.5–20 mg daily | Oral | 2–4× daily (divided) | 2–4 weeks, repeatable |
| Cutting (community) | 10–50 mg daily | Oral | 2× daily | 6–8 weeks |
Pharmacokinetic summary
- Model tier
- Advanced (t½ + Cmax + Tmax + F)
- Half-life
- 9.5 hours
- Cmax
- 772 ng/dL
- Tmax
- 0.1 days
- Bioavailability
- 63%
- Typical dose
- 10–50 mg
Harm reduction
- Aromatizes
- No
- DHT derivative
- Yes
- Hepatotoxicity
- mild
- Injection frequency
- Oral, 2×/day
Frequently asked questions
Why is Anavar considered mild?
Oxandrolone has a high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, doesn't aromatize, and isn't further 5-alpha-reduced, so androgenic and estrogenic side effects are uncommon at moderate doses. The trade-offs are cost, widespread counterfeiting, and meaningful HDL suppression despite the mild reputation.
Why is Anavar dosed twice daily?
The ~9.5-hour half-life means serum levels fall substantially within a day of a single dose. Splitting the daily dose morning and evening keeps levels steadier; the plotter shows the single-dose peak-and-fade directly.
Is Anavar used by women?
It's the most commonly reported AAS in female protocols because virilization risk is lower at low doses, but the risk isn't zero: voice deepening and clitoral changes can be irreversible. Reported female doses sit around 5–10 mg daily.
References
- PMC oxandrolone PK
- Oxandrolone pharmacokinetics (PMC) — Primary human PK source behind the half-life and peak timing.
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