Anavar Guide: Dosage, Results and Side Effects

Anavar (Oxandrolone) is the mildest oral steroid available, with an anabolic rating of 322-630 and an androgenic rating of just 24, making it the top choice for lean cutting, fat loss, and first-time oral cycles. A 1999 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that Anavar at 20mg/day produced significant lean mass gains even in patients with severe muscle wasting. For healthy athletes, doses of 30-50mg/day over 6-8 weeks deliver lean, dry gains with minimal water retention and a low side-effect profile.

Key Takeaways

• Anabolic rating: 322-630 / Androgenic rating: 24 (compared to testosterone’s 100/100 baseline)
• Men’s dosage: 30-50mg/day for 6-8 weeks. Split into two daily doses for stable blood levels
• Women’s dosage: 5-10mg/day for 6-8 weeks. One of the few steroids considered viable for female athletes
• No aromatisation: Anavar does not convert to oestrogen. No water retention, no gynecomastia risk
• Liver toxicity is mild compared to other C17-aa orals, but liver support (TUDCA) is still recommended
• PCT is required after standalone Anavar cycles. Nolvadex 40/20mg for 4 weeks

What Is Anavar?

Anavar is the brand name for Oxandrolone, a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative first synthesised in 1962 by Searle Laboratories. It was originally developed to treat muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and weight loss from chronic illness. Its exceptionally low androgenic activity made it one of the few steroids prescribed to women and children in clinical settings.

According to pharmacological data, Anavar’s high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio results from its chemical modification: the A-ring of the steroid structure has a substituted oxygen atom, reducing androgenic binding while maintaining strong anabolic activity in muscle tissue.

Anavar Dosage Protocols

Half-life: 9-10 hours. Splitting the daily dose into two administrations (morning and evening) maintains more stable blood levels than a single dose. Take with food to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

Anavar Results: What to Expect

Anavar is not a mass-building compound. Users should not expect the dramatic weight gain seen with Dianabol or Deca-Durabolin. Instead, Anavar excels at:

• Lean, dry muscle gains of 2-4 kg over 6-8 weeks with no water retention
• Strength increases of 10-20% on compound lifts, often disproportionate to weight gained
• Visible fat reduction, particularly when used in a caloric deficit
• Muscle hardening and vascularity as subcutaneous water is minimised
• Muscle preservation during aggressive cuts where caloric deficit would normally cause catabolism

A 2004 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that Oxandrolone at 20mg/day for 12 weeks reduced total body fat by 1.8 kg and trunk fat by 0.7 kg without any exercise intervention. In trained athletes with structured programmes, results are substantially greater.

Anavar Side Effects

Anavar’s reputation as the “mildest steroid” is deserved relative to other compounds, but it is not side-effect-free. Lipid disruption is its most significant concern. A study published in Metabolism (1998) found oral steroids (including Anavar) reduced HDL cholesterol by 30-50% within 6-8 weeks. Monitor lipids with blood work at mid-cycle. For a compound-by-compound risk breakdown, see our side effects guide.

PCT After Anavar

Begin PCT the day after your last Anavar dose. Because Anavar has no ester and a 9-10 hour half-life, it clears the system within 48 hours. There is no waiting period like with long-ester injectables.

Full protocol details in our PCT guide. Browse PCT products.

Anavar vs Other Cutting Compounds

For a deeper comparison between injection and tablet-based compounds, read our injectable vs oral steroids guide. New to steroids entirely? Start with our beginner’s guide.