Oxymetholone (also known as Anapolone and Anadrol) is one of the strongest oral anabolic steroids that is used to rapidly increase muscle mass and strength. The drug is known for its pronounced anabolic effects and significant fluid retention in the muscles, which promotes rapid weight gain.
History of Oxymetholone
Oxymetholone (Anadrol) is an oral anabolic steroid, a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In our experience, Anadrol is one of the most powerful compounds in bodybuilding.
Anadrol, also known as "Atomic Bomb" or "Oxy", is primarily used by bodybuilders during the off-season (for bulking), significantly increasing muscle size and strength.
Anadrol first appeared on the market in 1959, when the pharmaceutical company Syntex initiated research on it for medical purposes. They found Anadrol to be effective in treating anemia, osteoporosis, and muscle-wasting conditions such as HIV/AIDS.
Two years later, oxymetholone became available in the UK under the brand name Anapolon. Other well-known products, such as Adroyd and Anadrol, were also introduced and sold in the US.
In the early 1960s, Anadrol was widely available to bodybuilders for cosmetic use.
As Anadrol's serious side effects became increasingly known, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricted prescriptions for oxymetholone in the mid-1970s. Bodybuilders could no longer obtain Anadrol from their doctors, and it became primarily prescribed to patients suffering from anemia.
Effects and benefits of Oxymetholone
Oxymetholone is a powerful anabolic steroid widely used for rapid muscle mass and strength gains. It is available in oral form, eliminating the need for injections.
Weight gain and muscle hypertrophy
Oxymetholone is considered one of the most effective steroids for rapid weight gain and muscle hypertrophy. Weight gain is caused by both muscle growth and water retention.
Rapid initial weight gain is observed, with patients potentially gaining up to 4.5 kg in the first week and up to 13.5 kg by the sixth week of the cycle. Approximately half of this weight gain may be due to fluid retention. The intense movement of water into muscle cells causes a pronounced muscle pump during exercise, which in some cases can be painful (for example, in the lower back).
Oxymetholone's anabolic potential is estimated to be three times greater than that of testosterone. Although some of the muscle gain is temporary (due to intracellular fluid retention), the observed increase in lean muscle mass remains significant. This is due to increased testosterone levels, stimulation of protein synthesis, and nitrogen retention.
Increase in strength indicators
Oxymetholone is extremely popular among powerlifting and strongman athletes due to its pronounced effects on strength and body mass.
Users may notice significant strength gains early in the cycle, such as a 13.5 kg increase in bench press in the first 10 days. By the end of the cycle, overall gains in complex exercises (squats, deadlifts, bench press) can reach 27 kg. Strength gains in these exercises often exceed body weight gains by twice as much.
However, it is important to note that after stopping the drug, strength levels can decrease by approximately 40%, which correlates with a comparable weight loss.
Effect on adipose tissue
There is a misconception that Oxymetholone directly promotes fat accumulation. Like all anabolic steroids (exogenous forms of testosterone), it promotes muscle growth and fat burning, albeit to varying degrees. Studies have shown that Oxymetholone at a dosage of 100 mg per day promotes significant subcutaneous fat loss (4, 5).
The appearance of "excess weight" gain is often associated with fluid retention (swelling, bloating), which can be mistaken for increased body fat. Furthermore, Oxymetholone is typically used in bulking cycles in conjunction with a high-calorie diet, which in itself can lead to increased fat mass and water retention. However, this is due to the diet and not the steroid itself. When maintaining a calorie-adjusted diet, subcutaneous fat accumulation does not occur.
However, Oxymetholone and other steroids can contribute to an increase in visceral fat – the fat that surrounds the internal organs.
Safety assessment
Oxymetholone remains approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anemia. When used under medical supervision, the drug is considered safe.
However, extreme caution should be exercised, as Oxymetholone is recognized as one of the most aggressive steroids. Recreational use, high doses, and excessively frequent cycles can lead to abuse and increase risks. Furthermore, there are no guarantees of quality or authenticity when purchasing the drug on the black market.
Oxymetholone for women
Oxymetholone remains approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of anemia. When used under medical supervision, the drug is considered safe.
However, extreme caution should be exercised, as Oxymetholone is recognized as one of the most aggressive steroids. Recreational use, high doses, and excessively frequent cycles can lead to abuse and increase risks. Furthermore, there are no guarantees of quality or authenticity when purchasing the drug on the black market.
Oxymetholone and women: risk of virilization
Despite its androgenic effect in men, Oxymetholone exhibits a low masculinization potential when used by women. Both practical experience and clinical studies support this conclusion.
Traditionally, it has been believed that the androgenic effects of steroids can cause virilizing side effects in women, such as deepening of the voice, clitoral hypertrophy, body hair growth, male-pattern baldness, and changes in facial features (e.g., a more pronounced jawline).
However, a large study involving HIV patients receiving extremely high doses of oxymetholone (100–150 mg daily for 30 weeks) found that virilization was not observed in any of the participants. The only reported side effects were decreased libido and increased fatigue. Furthermore, the women did not experience hypertension or androgenic effects, which are common in men.
This may be due to two main factors:
- Androgen-Estrogen Balance: Unlike other steroids, Oxymetholone has both androgenic and estrogenic effects. It is believed that masculinization in women occurs due to an imbalance characterized by high androgen levels and low estrogen levels. Conversion of Oxymetholone to estrogen can help prevent this imbalance.
- Low Affinity for SHBG: Oxymetholone has a low affinity for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). High SHBG levels are detrimental to women, as they increase free (unbound) testosterone levels. In comparison, steroids such as Winstrol bind strongly to SHBG and are not converted into estrogen, creating optimal conditions for pronounced virilization.
Even in another study where women were given Oxymetholone to treat anemia and bone marrow failure in huge doses (up to 100 mg per day), only four participants experienced minor and reversible signs of virilization that disappeared after the drug was discontinued.
For women seeking strength and muscle gains, an effective dose of Oxymetholone is considered moderate: 12.5–25 mg per day. Experts also recommend dividing the daily dose into several doses rather than taking it all at once to further reduce the risk of side effects. Experts believe the risk of virilization with 25 mg of Oxymetholone is comparable to that with 5 mg of Anavar—a more common, but still potentially masculinizing, steroid in high doses.
Oxymetholone's hepatotoxicity is also important for women. Therefore, it is recommended to use liver support supplements (such as TUDCA) and completely abstain from alcohol while taking the drug.
Use and dosage of Oxymetholone
For male bodybuilders, the generally accepted dosage regimen is 50-100 mg of Oxymetholone per day, with the course duration typically ranging from 4 to 8 weeks.
For women whose goal is significant muscle mass gain, the effective dose is 12.5–25 mg per day, for a course of 4–6 weeks.
Given Oxymetholone's relatively short half-life of 5–9 hours, it is advisable to divide the daily dose into several doses to maintain stable blood levels. Tablets typically contain 50 mg of the active ingredient, allowing them to be easily divided into 2–4 doses per day.
It's important to note that Oxymetholone tablets are fat-soluble. Therefore, taking the drug with food can potentially reduce its bioavailability and negatively impact its effectiveness. For maximum effect, it is recommended to take Oxymetholone on an empty stomach.
It's important to note that there's a direct relationship between dosage and the severity of side effects. Doses above 100 mg per day significantly and dramatically increase the risk and severity of adverse reactions, while providing little additional benefit.
Combination (stacks) of Oxymetholone
Oxymetholone is often combined (stacked) with powerful injectable anabolic steroids, including:
- Testosterone;
- Deca Durabolin (Nandrolone);
- Trenbolone.
This combination does indeed promote more pronounced gains in muscle mass and strength, but it also leads to increased side effects. Combining several steroids increases the suppression of natural testosterone secretion, negatively impacts the lipid profile (cholesterol), and increases blood pressure.
Since Oxymetholone is a drug with high hepatotoxicity, a more reasonable approach is to combine it with relatively mild injectable steroids such as Deca Durabolin rather than more aggressive ones such as Trenbolone. Testosterone is also a less toxic stacking option.
Like Dianabol, Oxymetholone can be used as a monotherapy (as a standalone cycle) with excellent results, especially for users who have not previously taken oxymetholone. After the first cycle, once tolerance to the drug has developed, users can move on to combining it with other steroids.
Oxymetholone Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
After completing a course of Oxymetholone, post-cycle therapy (PCT) is mandatory. This is necessary to reverse the significant suppression of endogenous testosterone production, which negatively impacts psycho-emotional state, energy levels, libido, and the maintenance of muscle gains.
To effectively and quickly restore the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPT) and normalize testosterone synthesis, an aggressive PCT protocol is recommended. This is especially necessary when combining Oxymetholone with other anabolic steroids.
Recommended PCT protocol
The effectiveness of restoration was demonstrated in a protocol developed by Dr. Michael Scully, which was successfully used to normalize testosterone levels in patients with post-injection hypogonadism. This regimen includes three main components:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): 2000 IU every other day, 20-day course.
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): 2 x 20 mg, 45-day course.
- Clomiphene (Clomid): 2 x 50 mg, 30-day course.
Using this protocol, complete restoration of testosterone levels to normal values can be achieved within 45 days.
Calculating the start time of PCT
The start of PCT should be precisely timed to coincide with the complete elimination of Oxymetholone from the body. This time is calculated using the drug's half-life, which is 8-9 hours. The complete elimination time is determined by multiplying the half-life by a factor of 5.5:
PCT start time = 5.5 x 9 hours = 49.5 hours
Therefore, PCT should begin approximately 49.5 hours after the last dose. If Oxymetholone was combined with other drugs, the start of PCT should be delayed until the last steroid, i.e., the drug with the longest half-life, has been completely eliminated from the body. Following this aggressive protocol, complete restoration of endogenous testosterone levels is typically achieved within two months.
Results of taking Oxymetholone
Thanks to short esters, the effect of Oxymetholone becomes noticeable already in the early stages of the cycle: minor changes in body composition can be observed already in the first days of use.
Practical experience shows that a single Oxymetholone cycle can result in a body mass gain of up to 13.5 kg and a strength gain (in the three main basic exercises) of up to 27.5 kg. With subsequent cycles, especially when combined with other steroids (such as Deca Durabolin), the results can be even more pronounced. Users report a significant increase in muscle hypertrophy without noticeable fat gain, although the muscles may appear "smoother" due to associated water retention.
Sustainability of the achieved results
The increase in lean muscle mass achieved during a course of Oxymetholone is often permanent. Typically, slightly more than half of the total weight gained is lean muscle tissue (the rest is water).
If a user gains around 16 kg (35 lbs) over a 6-week cycle, approximately 9 kg (20 lbs) of that will be lean muscle that remains after the drug is discontinued.
To maximize muscle mass retention after a cycle, it's critical to use effective post-cycle therapy (PCT) and maintain an intense training regimen. If strength training is discontinued, the lean muscle mass gains achieved with Oxymetholone will diminish.
Oxymetholone contraindications
- active tumor processes.
- pregnancy and lactation period.
- decompensated chronic liver and kidney diseases.
- increased intracranial pressure.
- cardiovascular pathologies in the acute stage.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
- may enhance the effects of other anabolic steroids.
- may alter the effectiveness of anticoagulants and insulin.
- combination with hepatotoxic drugs increases the risk of liver damage.
Side effects of Oxymetholone
- swelling and fluid retention in the body.
- increased blood pressure.
- pain in joints and muscles.
- liver problems with long-term use.
- acne, hair loss, changes in libido.
Warnings
- Use only under professional supervision.
- Do not exceed recommended doses to avoid dangerous effects.
- Monitor your liver and blood pressure regularly during the course.
- Store in a dry place at room temperature, keep out of reach of children.
Oxymetholone: An Overview of the Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages (Pros)
Oxymetholone is a powerful anabolic steroid whose key benefits include:
- Significant Muscle Gain: One of the most effective steroids for rapid muscle gain.
- Significant Strength Increase: Provides significant strength gains, making it popular among powerlifters.
- Ease of administration: the oral (tablet) form eliminates the need for injections.
- Low risk of virilization in women: Clinical data show that Oxymetholone has a low tendency to cause masculinization when used in a controlled manner.
Disadvantages (Cons)
Despite its effectiveness, taking Oxymetholone is associated with serious risks:
- Hepatotoxicity: It is one of the most liver toxic oral steroids.
- Cardiovascular risks: causes increased blood pressure.
- Hormonal suppression: results in severe suppression of endogenous testosterone production, requiring mandatory post-cycle therapy.
- Estrogenic effects: causes water retention (edema) and carries the risk of developing gynecomastia.
Conclusion
Oxymetholone is an extremely potent anabolic steroid that provides rapid and significant gains in muscle mass and strength, as confirmed by numerous observations and studies. Its oral form and low virilization potential in women (at moderate doses) expand its potential for use.
However, its high efficacy comes with significant risks, primarily associated with hepatotoxicity and cardiovascular side effects (increased blood pressure), as well as the need for mandatory and aggressive post-cycle therapy to restore HPTA function after severe testosterone suppression. Therefore, the use of Oxymetholone requires careful monitoring, adherence to strict dosing and PCT protocols, and ongoing health monitoring.
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