Typical Anavar Dosing Protocols for Men and Women

Oxandrolone, widely known as Anavar, is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. It was initially developed for therapeutic use to promote weight gain following severe trauma or chronic infections that cause muscle wasting. The compound gained popularity in performance settings for its ability to enhance strength and promote lean muscle mass with minimal water retention, due to its favorable anabolic-to-androgenic ratio. This difference in application results in distinct dosing protocols that vary significantly between clinical guidelines and common practice among athletes.

Clinical Application Dosing

Clinical use of oxandrolone focuses on managing catabolic states and promoting tissue anabolism under medical supervision. The FDA-approved dosage for adults typically ranges from 2.5 mg to 20 mg per day. This total daily dose is usually divided and administered two to four times daily to maintain consistent drug levels in the bloodstream. Therapy is intended to be intermittent, with a standard course lasting only two to four weeks. The goal is to achieve a therapeutic response using the lowest possible dose, adjusting based on the patient’s needs and response.

Performance Dosing for Men

Dosing protocols for men in a performance context are much higher than clinical settings and are segmented by user experience. A male beginner generally starts with a conservative daily dose of 15 mg to 20 mg to gauge tolerance and response. Intermediate users, having completed a beginner cycle, often advance their daily intake to between 30 mg and 50 mg. This moderate range is associated with noticeable gains in strength and muscle definition. Advanced male users, particularly those integrating the compound with other agents, sometimes use doses reaching 80 mg to 100 mg per day.

Due to the compound’s relatively short half-life of approximately nine to ten hours, the total daily dose is frequently split into two separate administrations. This strategy helps maintain more stable concentrations of the drug in the blood plasma throughout the day, leading to a more consistent anabolic effect and potentially reducing peaks.

Performance Dosing for Women

Oxandrolone is relatively tolerable for female athletes, but the dosing requirement is significantly lower than for men. The female endocrine system is highly sensitive to androgens, necessitating a cautious approach to mitigate the risk of virilization. Typical dosing for women falls within a narrow range of 5 mg to 10 mg per day. A common starting point is 5 mg daily, increasing to 10 mg only if the lower dose is well-tolerated. Virilization, including symptoms like voice deepening and increased body hair, is the primary concern, and the risk increases substantially when the daily dose exceeds 10 mg.

Cycle Structure and Duration

The structure of oxandrolone use is important because it is a C17-alpha alkylated oral steroid. This modification allows the compound to survive its first pass through the liver but also imparts hepatic toxicity. Consequently, cycles are limited in length to manage potential strain on the liver. Most performance cycles last between six and eight weeks and should not exceed eight weeks. Once the “on-cycle” period is complete, a mandatory “off-cycle” period is required to allow the body to recover and normalize liver function markers.

Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT)

For men, an off-cycle is also necessary to address the suppression of endogenous testosterone production that occurs during use. Even though oxandrolone is considered milder than some other compounds, a post-cycle therapy (PCT) protocol is often employed to help restart the body’s natural hormone production following the completion of the cycle.