Anadrol
Also known as: Oxymetholone, A-bombs, A50, Drol, Oxy, Anadrol-50
Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
Anadrol has a commonly cited anabolic rating of 320 (testosterone = 100) and can produce 20-30+ lbs of weight gain in a single 4-6 week cycle. It markedly stimulates erythropoietin and red blood cell production, the mechanism behind its FDA approval for anemia treatment. The dramatic and rapid transformation in size and strength is physically impossible to achieve naturally, placing it firmly in the heavily enhanced category.
Overview
One of the most powerful oral anabolic steroids ever created, with an anabolic rating of 320 (vs testosterone at 100). Originally developed to treat anemia and muscle-wasting diseases. Known for producing rapid, dramatic gains in size and strength, but with significant side effects including unique estrogenic effects despite being a DHT derivative.
Important Warnings
- •Extremely hepatotoxic - never exceed 6 weeks of use
- •Do not combine with other C17-alpha alkylated oral steroids
- •Avoid alcohol completely during use
- •Monitor blood pressure closely - daily monitoring recommended
- •AIs do NOT prevent estrogenic side effects from this compound
- •Not suitable for beginners due to harsh side effect profile
- •Drug-induced jaundice is usually reversible but can progress to hepatic coma if use continues
- •Finasteride/dutasteride do NOT help. Anadrol is a DHT-derivative and not a 5-AR substrate
Purpose & Use Cases
Rapid Mass Gains
Can produce 20-30+ lbs of weight gain in the first cycle, though significant portion is water retention.
Strength Increases
Provides dramatic strength gains, making it popular among powerlifters for competition prep.
Cycle Kickstart
Commonly used for first 4-6 weeks while waiting for injectable steroids to reach peak blood levels.
Medical Use
FDA-approved treatment for severe anemia due to its powerful effect on erythropoietin and RBC production.
Benefits
- Extremely rapid weight and strength gains
- Massive increases in red blood cell production
- Strong anti-catabolic effects
- Joint lubrication from water retention
- Dramatic "full" muscular look
- Can be effective at lower doses (25-50mg) with reduced sides
Good to Know
AIs do NOT work on Anadrol, use a SERM
This is the critical, counterintuitive one. Anadrol gives estrogenic gyno and bloat despite not aromatizing, because it activates the estrogen receptor directly. Aromatase inhibitors have no target and will not help. The correct tool is a SERM like tamoxifen or raloxifene that blocks the receptor itself. Keep one on hand from the start.
A DHT-derivative: finasteride is useless
Oxymetholone is a DHT-derivative and not 5-alpha-reduced, so finasteride/dutasteride do nothing for its androgenic effects. There is no 5-AR conversion to block.
Much of the huge scale gain is water
The 20-30 lb first-cycle weight jump is heavily water and glycogen; a large fraction drops when the oral is removed. Judge results by retained strength and lean size, not peak bodyweight, and the retained portion persists via muscle memory, nudging your natural ceiling up.
Severely 17-alpha-alkylated: respect the cycle limits
Anadrol can cause cholestatic jaundice within months and, with long-term abuse, worse liver pathology. Cap runs at 4-6 weeks, use TUDCA, avoid alcohol entirely, and never stack it with another 17aa oral.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 25 – 50 mg/day |
| Intermediate | 50 – 100 mg/day |
| Advanced | 100 – 150 mg/day |
Very hepatotoxic - cycles should be kept to 4-6 weeks maximum. 50mg is the sweet spot for most users balancing gains vs sides. Medical (FDA) dose for anemia is 1-5 mg/kg/day. Community consensus across multiple dosing guides holds that pushing much past 100mg/day adds disproportionate liver/BP/estrogenic side-effect risk without a comparable increase in muscle gain.
Not rigorously established in the clinical literature (Wikipedia's pharmacokinetics summary lists it as "unknown"); harm-reduction/bodybuilding sources commonly cite ~8-9 hours, which is the basis for the split-dosing convention.
Side Effects
Hepatotoxicity
very commonOne of the most liver-toxic oral steroids due to C17-alpha alkylation. Can cause elevated liver enzymes, cholestatic jaundice (within 1-4 months), peliosis hepatis, and with long-term use (5-15+ years), hepatocellular carcinoma.
Limit cycle length to 4-6 weeks maximum. Use TUDCA (500-1000mg/day) and NAC. Avoid alcohol completely. Get liver enzymes checked mid-cycle.
Water Retention
very commonExtreme water retention causing bloated appearance, increased blood pressure, and potential cardiovascular strain.
Monitor sodium intake, control blood pressure, limit cycle duration. Note: diuretics can be dangerous.
High Blood Pressure
very commonSignificant blood pressure increases from water retention, increased RBC count, and direct cardiovascular effects.
Regular cardio, monitor BP daily, may need BP medication. Keep hematocrit in check.
Gynecomastia
commonCauses estrogenic effects despite NOT aromatizing. This is likely through direct estrogen receptor activation. Traditional aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Aromasin) are INEFFECTIVE.
Use SERMs like Nolvadex (tamoxifen) to block estrogen at the breast tissue receptor.
Appetite Suppression
commonParadoxically can suppress appetite despite being a bulking compound, possibly due to liver stress.
Time doses away from meals, use liquid calories if needed, ensure liver support.
Headaches
commonOften related to elevated blood pressure.
Control blood pressure, stay hydrated.
Lipid Dysfunction
very commonDecreases HDL and increases LDL cholesterol.
Cardio, fish oil, limit cycle length.
General Mitigation Strategies
TUDCA (500-1000mg/day) is essential for liver protection. Monitor blood pressure daily. Keep cycles short (4-6 weeks max). Use Nolvadex for gyno prevention as AIs are ineffective for this compound. Get liver enzymes and lipids checked mid-cycle. Never combine with other hepatotoxic oral steroids.
Support Supplements
Ancillary supplements commonly run alongside Anadrol to manage side effects, support the target tissue, or fill nutrient demands it creates.
Liver support (TUDCA + NAC)
KeyAnadrol is one of the most hepatotoxic 17-alpha-alkylated orals. TUDCA supports bile flow; NAC replenishes hepatic glutathione. Important here: but support, not a safety guarantee.
- Dose
- TUDCA 500-1,000mg/day; NAC 600-1,200mg/day
- Timing
- Throughout the (short) cycle
SERM for gyno (tamoxifen / raloxifene): NOT an AI
KeyAnadrol's estrogenic sides are receptor-mediated, not from aromatization, so aromatase inhibitors do nothing. A SERM that blocks the estrogen receptor at breast tissue is the mechanistically correct tool.
- Dose
- Tamoxifen 10-20mg/day (raloxifene 60mg/day as an alternative)
- Timing
- At first sign of gyno
- When
- Keep on hand from day one. Do not waste time trying an AI. It will not control Anadrol gyno.
Blood pressure + hematocrit management
KeyHeavy water retention and a strong EPO/red-cell rise push blood pressure up and thicken blood. Monitor BP daily; donate blood if hematocrit trends high.
- Dose
- Telmisartan 20-40mg/day if BP is high; donate per bloodwork
- Timing
- Daily; phlebotomy as needed
Lipid support (omega-3 + citrus bergamot)
Supports cholesterol against the HDL drop from a potent oral. Omega-3 helps triglycerides; citrus bergamot lowers LDL via statin-like flavonoids.
- Dose
- Omega-3 4 g/day; citrus bergamot 1,000 mg/day
- Timing
- With meals
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Standard PCT with Nolvadex (40/40/20/20) or Clomid (50/50/25/25). Can begin PCT 24-48 hours after last dose given its short (commonly cited ~8-9 hour, though not rigorously established) half-life.
How It Works
Oxymetholone is an agonist of the androgen receptor despite having relatively low binding affinity. It substantially increases erythropoietin levels, dramatically boosting red blood cell production. Uniquely, it causes estrogenic side effects (gyno, water retention) despite NOT aromatizing - likely through direct estrogen receptor activation or progestogenic activity. It is not a substrate for 5-alpha-reductase and has very low SHBG binding (<5% of testosterone).
Hormonal & Androgenic Profile
320:45 (oxymetholone): very strong anabolic, low androgenic on paper despite harsh sides
Does not aromatize, yet still causes estrogenic gyno and water retention, likely via direct estrogen-receptor (and possibly progesterone-receptor) activation. Because there is no aromatization, AIs (anastrozole, exemestane) are INEFFECTIVE; use a SERM (tamoxifen/raloxifene) that blocks the receptor.
A DHT-derivative and not a 5-alpha-reductase substrate, so finasteride/dutasteride are useless for it. Its estrogenic sides are receptor-mediated, not DHT-mediated.
Heavy water retention drives blood pressure up, a strong EPO/hematocrit rise thickens blood, and it worsens lipids as a 17aa oral, a broad cardiovascular load.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to Anadrol: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- Anadrol + Testosterone - Basic bulking stack with test as base
- Anadrol + Test + Deca - Classic mass-building stack
- Anadrol (kickstart) + Test + EQ - Long cycle with oral kickstart for first 4-6 weeks
Detection Times
Detectable for approximately 6-8 weeks. Produces multiple hydroxylated and conjugated metabolites. Banned by WADA, USADA, NCAA, IFBB, and all major sports organizations.
Legal Status
Schedule III controlled substance (USA). FDA-approved for anemia treatment.
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
Oxymetholone (Anadrol) is explicitly prohibited as an anabolic androgenic steroid.