Oxandrolone (anavar) is a powerful anabolic steroid pill (per os), with a more powerful anabolic index than oxymetholone comparing mg/mg.
Its low androgenic index makes it preferable among females, in order to avoid the non reversible side effects of androgens (hirsutism, voice deepening, clitoris enlargement).
Oxandrolone is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Since there is no aromatization and considerable low androgenic activity, the suppress to HPTA is less.
It has no impact on the metabolism of 5a- reductase and its reduction to DHT.
Therefore, it does not affect hypertrophy of the prostate gland (BPH) or androgenic alopecia (MPB), as other testosterone’s derivatives.
Adversely, it is hepatotoxic, causing elevation of the liver enzymes, known as transaminases (SGOT, SGPT-ALT, AST).
It also distorts atheromatic index and lipoprotein ratio (HDL/LDL).
Oxandrolone has the ability to increase ATP/CP production, thus making it a useful tool among explosive sports in track athletics (sprinting, jumps).
The fact it does not lead to any aromatization, water retention and edema, makes oxandrolone a favorable AAS among athletes with weight class.
Among bodybuilders, oxandrolone is highly abused during pre contest preparations, while dieting.
In doses >50mg daily, it increases serum free thyroxine (FT4) and contributes to catabolism of adipose tissue and lipolysis (beta oxidation).
Its half life is approximately eight hours, so it should be taken three times during the day.