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Anabolic Steroids/Hormones Human clinical data

Anavar

Oxandrolone · Var

9.5 hours
Half-life
10–50 mg
Typical dose
Oral, 2×/day
Frequency
6–8 weeks
Cycle length

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

Related compounds

Halotestin

Extremely hepatotoxic oral; pure strength/aggression, minimal hypertrophy.

Anadrol

Potent oral mass builder; high water retention and significant hepatotoxicity.

Dianabol

Classic oral mass builder; short half-life, strong aromatization. Simple model — peak calibrated.

Protocols featuring Anavar

Anavar (Female, 6 weeks)

Conservative female Anavar cycle: 5 mg/day for 6 weeks. The standard female starting dose — 10 mg/day is the upper boundary before virilization risk rises sharply.

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