Anavar (Oxandrolone) — Dosing, Cycles, Half-Life & Side Effects
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is an oral anabolic-androgenic steroid with a half-life of 8-9 hours. Mild oral steroid for cutting and lean gains. Primary risks include liver stress typical of 17α-alkylated orals. This page is educational harm-reduction reference compiled from peer-reviewed literature — not medical advice, not an endorsement, not a recommendation to use. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision.
Quick Facts
| Class | Orals |
|---|---|
| Half-life | 8-9 hours |
| Detection window | 21 days |
| Aromatization | No |
| Hepatotoxicity | Medium |
| Suppression | 5/10 |
| 17α-alkylated | Yes |
| Administration | oral |
Typical Dosing Ranges
Common dose range: 20-50mg/day
Cycle length: 6-8 weeks
Time to steady state: ~2 days
Dose ranges are compiled from published pharmacokinetic studies and community-reported usage. Where a value is community-reported rather than clinically studied, this page and its structured data flag it. Lower end of any range is always the safer starting point.
Stacking Considerations
- Do not stack with another 17α-alkylated oral. Dual-17αα stacking is prohibited in StackItSmart and unsafe for the liver.
PCT Requirements
- This compound causes clinically meaningful HPTA suppression. Post-cycle therapy is recommended.
- Depot clearance estimate: ~2 days post-last-dose before SERM start (5 × apparent depot half-life of 9h).
- Never stack two SERMs. Extend a single SERM (tamoxifen OR enclomiphene/clomiphene) rather than combining.
- Use the cycle planner to generate a full protocol based on your complete stack, not this compound alone.
Side Effect Profile
- Liver toxic
- Expensive
- Hair loss
- Suppression
Known Interactions
Anavar (Oxandrolone) + Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)
major — hepatotoxicTwo oral steroids with significant hepatotoxicity. Combined liver stress is multiplicative.
Recommendation: Never combine multiple 17-alpha alkylated orals. Choose one or use with injectable.
Monitor: AST, ALT, GGT, Bilirubin
Anavar (Oxandrolone) + Winstrol (Stanozolol)
major — hepatotoxicBoth are 17-alpha alkylated orals causing significant liver strain.
Recommendation: Avoid combining. If absolutely necessary, limit to 4 weeks max with liver support.
Monitor: AST, ALT, GGT
Anavar (Oxandrolone) + Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
major — hepatotoxicAnadrol is highly hepatotoxic. Combination creates extreme liver stress.
Recommendation: Do not combine. Anadrol alone requires liver monitoring.
Monitor: Full liver panel weekly
Superdrol (Methasterone) + Anavar (Oxandrolone)
major — hepatotoxicSuperdrol is extremely hepatotoxic. Any combination increases risk.
Recommendation: Superdrol should never be combined with other orals.
Monitor: Full liver panel every 3 days
Anavar (Oxandrolone) + Winstrol (Stanozolol)
moderate — hepatotoxicBoth can affect lipids and stress liver/kidneys.
Recommendation: If combining, keep cycle short and support organs.
Monitor: Creatinine, BUN, Lipid panel
Related compounds
Monitoring (Bloodwork & Vitals)
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle)
- Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit — watch for erythrocytosis)
- Sex-hormone panel (Total T, Free T, Estradiol sensitive, SHBG, LH, FSH)
- Liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) every 2–4 weeks on oral 17αα cycles
- Blood pressure (weekly self-check; flag systolic >140 or diastolic >90)
Baseline bloodwork is recommended before any cycle. Discontinue if liver enzymes exceed 3× upper limit of normal or if hematocrit exceeds 54%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the half-life of Anavar (Oxandrolone)?
Anavar (Oxandrolone) has a half-life of approximately 8-9 hours. Clearance estimate: 9h � 5 = 45h = 2 days. This figure is used to determine injection frequency (for esters) and post-cycle clearance timing.
What is the typical dose range for Anavar (Oxandrolone)?
Commonly reported ranges for Anavar (Oxandrolone): 20-50mg/day. Cycle length: 6-8 weeks. These are compiled from published studies and community-reported usage — individual response varies and lower end is always preferred.
Does Anavar (Oxandrolone) suppress natural testosterone?
Anavar (Oxandrolone) causes moderate suppression of the HPTA axis (score 5/10). Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is recommended after use.
Is Anavar (Oxandrolone) liver toxic?
Hepatotoxicity rating: Medium. Anavar (Oxandrolone) is 17α-alkylated, which bypasses first-pass liver metabolism and increases hepatic stress. Oral 17αα cycles should be capped at 6 weeks and paired with liver monitoring (ALT/AST every 2–4 weeks).
Does Anavar (Oxandrolone) aromatize to estrogen?
Aromatization profile: No. Minimal to no aromatization expected, so aromatase inhibitors are not typically indicated for this compound alone.
What is Anavar (Oxandrolone) typically used for?
Anavar (Oxandrolone) is commonly used for: Cutting, Performance, Women, Beginner cycles. Intended-use context does not imply safety — every use case carries the same underlying pharmacological risks.
Citations
- Orr R, Fiatarone Singh M. 2004. Drugs — Therapeutic dosing review for oxandrolone in wasting and catabolic disorders
- Liu et al.. 2025. Substance Use & Misuse — AAS meta-analysis: SBP +12.43 mmHg (95% CI: 9.59-15.26), LDL-C +9.12 mg/dL (95% CI: 6.75-11.49)
- Schroeder ET et al.. 2003. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab — Oxandrolone oral half-life approximately 9 hours (Schroeder 2003 oral androgen in older community-dwelling men). 17α-alkylated structure extends metabolic clearance vs. non-alkylated testosterone. Branch B - prior codebase PMID 12485809 confirmed hallucinated via PubMed eutils on 2026-04-17 (resolved to unrelated Basu 2003 glucose metabolism paper); plan-specified Branch B candidate PMID 12656645 also confirmed hallucinated (resolved to Kurz 2003 opioid bowel dysfunction paper); replaced with PMID 12388137 (the real Schroeder 2003 oxandrolone paper already cited in scientificSources for this compound)
- Hartgens F, Kuipers H. 2004. Sports Medicine — Oxandrolone at supraphysiologic doses (40-80mg/day) moderately suppresses HPT axis; supports suppressionScore 5-6/10
Disclaimer
StackItSmart is an independent harm-reduction reference. The content above is compiled from peer-reviewed literature and is not medical advice, not an endorsement, and not a recommendation to use Anavar (Oxandrolone). Performance-enhancing compounds carry legal, endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic risks. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision. StackItSmart does not provide sourcing, procurement, or dosing prescriptions.