Anadrol

Anadrol Introduction

Anadrol, often hailed as one of the strongest oral anabolic steroids on the market, competes closely with Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) in bodybuilding circles. Anadrol, the brand name for Oxymetholone, emerged in 1959. Syntex introduced it as Anadrol-50, while Parke Davis & Co. marketed it as Androyd. Initially utilized for various medical conditions, Anadrol found prominence in treating anemia by boosting red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.

Anadrol’s efficacy lies in its remarkable ability to stimulate erythropoiesis, surpassing other steroids. Research shows it can increase red blood cell production by up to fivefold. Studies have also highlighted its effectiveness in aiding muscle growth, particularly in AIDS patients. Those administered Anadrol gained an average of 8kg, whereas those on a placebo not only lost weight but also faced higher mortality rates. Consequently, Anadrol is predominantly prescribed for AIDS patients and individuals with muscle wasting diseases.

Chemical Properties of Anadrol

Anadrol, belonging to the family of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived anabolic steroids, is essentially a modified form of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Other compounds in this group include Winstrol, Primobolan, Masteron, Anavar, and several others, all originating from DHT. They are essentially altered versions of DHT, making DHT the ‘parent’ hormone of these steroids.

Anadrol differs from DHT due to the addition of a methyl group and a 2-hydroxymethylene group to its structure. These alterations enable Anadrol to maintain activity in muscle tissue, where DHT would typically become inactive due to enzymatic processes. The enzyme primarily responsible for this in muscle tissue is 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. However, due to the chemical changes in Anadrol, this enzyme does not interact with it, allowing Anadrol to exert potent effects within muscle tissue.

Anadrol boasts an anabolic rating of 320, which is over three times stronger than Testosterone, with its anabolic rating of 100. Additionally, studies have shown that Anadrol exhibits reduced androgenic strength compared to Testosterone, with an androgenic rating of 45, in contrast to Testosterone’s androgenic rating of 100.

Anadrol, despite being a derivative of DHT, exhibits unusually high Estrogenic activity, defying conventional norms. While DHT-derived steroids typically avoid aromatase conversion and Estrogenic effects, Anadrol stands apart. It induces water retention, bloating, and gynecomastia, resembling estrogenic behavior in certain tissues. This divergence from the norm is crucial for potential users to grasp, as Anadrol’s Estrogenic effects cannot be mitigated by aromatase inhibitors.

Liver

As an orally active anabolic steroid, Anadrol undergoes C17 Alpha Alkylation, allowing it to survive liver metabolism. However, its severe hepatotoxicity is well-documented, attributed to its resistance to hepatic breakdown. This renders Anadrol one of the most hepatotoxic oral steroids available.

Anadrol Side Effects

Anadrol has chemical modification that helps it pass through the liver but also puts a strain on it. A study lasting 30 weeks looked at how tough this strain is and how much weight you can gain. As expected, there were side effects. The study focused on people with AIDS who were losing weight. They gained over 8kg, while the control group lost weight and had more deaths. The most weight gain happened around 19-20 weeks, and after that, it wasn’t as effective. It’s not a good idea to use Anadrol for more than 20 weeks because it’s bad for your liver. But within that time, you won’t gain much more weight or strength.

Anadrol can be managed safely

Despite possible side effects, the study suggests Anadrol can be safe if used carefully. Some say you should only use it for four weeks, but others think six weeks or more is okay.

From my own experience, Anadrol gives you big gains in the first three weeks, then the gains slow down. But side effects like headaches and bloating stick around. It’s weird because Anadrol comes from DHT but can still cause estrogen-like effects. It might also affect progesterone levels in women.

Surprisingly, drugs like Letrozole can help with Anadrol’s side effects. Even though people say Anadrol is bad for your liver, it’s probably not as bad as they say. But it’s still smart to only use it for six weeks or less.

People often use Anadrol with other steroids but not ones that are hard on the liver. Starting a six-week cycle with Anadrol can give you quick gains. It’s popular with athletes who don’t have to worry about their weight. Anadrol can also boost your free testosterone, which helps it work better with other steroids. It’s great for getting big but not for losing weight.

Are the gains worth the side effects?

Anadrol is an anabolic steroid taken by mouth, and because of this, it can harm the liver. Among all the anabolic steroids you can buy, Anadrol is known to be the worst for your liver. This might have been exaggerated in the bodybuilding community, but it’s still something to be careful about. Anadrol has a chemical change meant to reduce liver harm, but studies on HIV and AIDS patients show that it still affects liver enzymes. It’s best to use Anadrol for no more than 4 to 6 weeks and take supplements that support your liver.

Other Side Effects

Anadrol gets even weirder when you look at its other side effects. Even though it comes from DHT, it doesn’t turn into estrogen. But it’s known to cause estrogen-like effects, like bloating and holding onto water, which can make your blood pressure go up and cause gynecomastia. Using a SERM like Nolvadex can help with gynecomastia, but it won’t fix water retention or high blood pressure. Anadrol doesn’t work with aromatase inhibitors because it doesn’t interact with the aromatase enzyme. Some think Anadrol might act like a progestin, but studies show it doesn’t. It’s possible that Anadrol interacts with the estrogen receptor directly, but this hasn’t been confirmed.

Anadrol can also produce androgenic side effects, but they’re usually not as bad as with testosterone. Even though Anadrol doesn’t turn into DHT, it changes into another form called mestanolone, which is a stronger androgen. This can cause oily skin, acne, hair loss, and other issues.

Like other oral anabolic steroids, Anadrol can really mess with your heart and cholesterol levels. It can drastically change your blood cholesterol, both LDL and HDL.

Anadrols effect on muscle and strength

Anadrol boosts strength development through several key mechanisms. Firstly, it ramps up red blood cell production, enhancing the delivery of oxygen to muscles. This increased oxygen flow leads to improved endurance, enabling longer and more intense workouts, ultimately resulting in greater strength gains over time.

Moreover, Anadrol stimulates protein synthesis, the process crucial for muscle repair and growth. By optimizing this process, Anadrol accelerates muscle recovery, allowing for faster recuperation after intense training sessions. This expedited recovery permits more frequent and intense workouts, facilitating continuous strength improvements.

Additionally, Anadrol promotes nitrogen retention within muscles. Nitrogen is vital for amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. By fostering positive nitrogen balance, Anadrol creates an environment conducive to muscle growth and strength enhancement. With enhanced nitrogen retention, muscles become more resilient to rigorous training, leading to enhanced strength performance.

How Anadrol is typically used

Oxymetholone cycles are typically designed for bulking, strength gain, and overall mass building. They are not well-suited for cutting, fat loss, or pre-contest phases. While Anadrol can aid in fat loss, its estrogenic effects, particularly water retention and bloating, make it a poor choice. These effects soften the physique’s appearance, obscuring definition and making it hard to track fat loss visually. Anadrol doesn’t convert to estrogen, yet still induces these effects through other unidentified means, rendering aromatase inhibitors ineffective in reducing bloating.

Anadrol cycles usually start with Anadrol as a kickstart for the initial 4 to 6 weeks, alongside other injectable base compounds like Testosterone Enanthate, Deca-Durabolin, or Trenbolone Enanthate. It can also be used mid-cycle to break through plateaus or at the end to enhance gains before transitioning to Post Cycle Therapy (PCT). Due to liver toxicity, Anadrol cycles should not exceed 4 to 6 weeks. However, other compounds used alongside it, such as injectables, can extend beyond Anadrol’s duration.

What dosage Anadrol

Prescribed doses of Anadrol varied widely from the 1950s to the 1980s, depending on the medical condition treated and changing FDA regulations. Medical doses ranged from 2.5mg taken three times daily to as high as 30mg per day. By the 1970s, the FDA recommended a guideline of 1 to 2mg per kg of body weight per day.

Since Anadrol typically comes in 50mg tablets, for bodybuilding and athletic purposes, beginners typically start with 25 to 50mg per day. Intermediate users may take between 50 to 100mg per day, while advanced users might go as high as 150mg per day, though this is risky. However, most users, regardless of experience level, rarely need more than 50mg per day due to Anadrol’s potency. Studies have shown that while a 100mg dose is more effective than 50mg, going beyond 100mg doesn’t yield further benefits, and the returns diminish.

Another consideration is that Anadrol doses often lead to reduced appetite, and studies show it can increase glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, making the body less efficient at using nutrients.

Anadrol doses should ideally be divided throughout the day to maintain stable hormone levels in the blood. Anadrol has a half-life of about 8 to 9 hours, so taking a dose in the morning and another in the afternoon or evening is recommended.

The latest Anadrol information

On December 30, 2017, researchers from the University of Southern California conducted a study examining the impact of Oxymetholone on muscle growth and fat loss among elderly healthy patients. The study, published in 2003, yielded insightful results regarding the effects of different dosages of Anadrol on body composition.

Participants were divided into groups receiving a placebo, 50mg of Oxymetholone per day, or 100mg of Oxymetholone per day. The findings revealed significant increases in lean body mass among those who received the compound. Specifically, individuals taking the 50mg dose experienced an average increase of approximately 3.3 kg, while those receiving the higher 100mg dose saw a more substantial gain of over 4.2 kg. Moreover, both groups exhibited reductions in fat mass, with decreases of 2.6 kg and 2.5 kg respectively, indicating Anadrol’s potential to promote both lean muscle growth and fat loss.

Further analysis, including body scans, indicated that participants, particularly in the higher dosage group, experienced notable reductions in fat mass in their trunk area, with reductions of approximately 2 kg and 2.2 kg respectively. This observation suggests that Anadrol may have a specific impact on fat loss in regions where males typically store excess fat, such as the midsection and torso.

However, alongside these positive outcomes, the study also highlighted several negative effects associated with Anadrol use, notably hepatoxicity (liver damage) and a decrease in HDL cholesterol levels (often referred to as “good” cholesterol). Due to these potential risks, it is commonly recommended that Anadrol usage does not exceed 4-6 weeks of continuous use to minimize the likelihood of adverse effects on liver health and cholesterol levels.

Source https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12388137/

Basic Information

• Original Manufacturer: Syntex
• Chemical Name: 17β-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylene-17-methyl-5α-androstan-3-one
• Molecular Weight: 332.48 g/mol
• Formula: C21H32O3
• Half-Life: 8 – 9 hours
• Detection Time: 2 months
• Anabolic Rating: 320
• Androgenic Rating: 45

Oxymetholone, also known as Anadrol or Anadrol-50, is an androgen and anabolic steroid medication primarily used in the treatment of anemia.