Short answer: Stanozolol (Winstrol) is an anabolic steroid once prescribed in the US for hereditary angioedema. Human products are no longer marketed, and it is a Schedule III controlled substance. It is used illegally in sport and bodybuilding and can damage the liver and cholesterol balance.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Stanozolol is an oral and injectable anabolic-androgenic steroid and a Schedule III controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: None in the US (human product discontinued).
- Timing: effects start in weeks (for effects on muscle) and last daily oral or every few days injected.
- Most dangerous mix: Alcohol and acetaminophen in high doses, which can cause more liver damage (oral steroids).
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: Moderate.
- Legal route: no approved US product for personal use; possession without a prescription is a crime.
What is stanozolol?
Stanozolol was used to reduce attacks of hereditary angioedema by raising levels of a blood protein called C1 inhibitor. Newer targeted treatments replaced it, and US human products were discontinued.
Users seek lean muscle, strength, and a 'dry', hard appearance without water retention, as it does not convert to estrogen.
Quick facts
| Fact | Stanozolol |
|---|---|
| Drug class | 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic-androgenic steroid (oral and injectable) |
| Brand names | Winstrol (human, discontinued in the US); Winstrol-V (veterinary, discontinued) |
| Former use | Prevention of hereditary angioedema attacks |
| US legal status | Schedule III; no marketed human product |
| Forms | Tablets, water-based injectable suspension (illicit) |
| Famous case | Sprinter Ben Johnson's 1988 Olympic disqualification |
How long does stanozolol last?
- Starts working: Weeks (for effects on muscle)
- Effects last: Daily oral or every few days injected
Sport tests can detect metabolites for weeks after use.
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of stanozolol?
Liver: oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroids can cause liver injury, cholestasis, blood-filled liver cysts (peliosis hepatis), and liver tumors.
Heart: steroids lower HDL (good) cholesterol, raise LDL, thicken the heart muscle, and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in young people.
Hormones: in men, shrunken testicles, low sperm count, infertility, and breast growth; in women, deepened voice, facial hair, and menstrual changes that may be permanent.
What should you never mix with stanozolol?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other blood thinners | Increased bleeding risk | Monitor closely |
| Insulin and diabetes medicines | Lower blood sugar | Monitor |
| Other steroids and stimulants | Heart and liver strain | High risk |
| Alcohol and acetaminophen in high doses | More liver damage (oral steroids) | Avoid |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of a stanozolol overdose, and what should you do?
Stanozolol does not usually cause acute overdose. Harms build over time: seek emergency care for chest pain, signs of stroke, yellowing skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, or thoughts of self-harm.
When to get emergency help
- Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, or a severe headache.
- Seek urgent care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or a painful, swollen leg.
- Seek care for a hot, painful, or swollen injection site, which may be an infection.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988.
What happens when someone stops anabolic steroids?
After a cycle, the body's own testosterone production is suppressed and can take weeks to months to recover. Many users develop dependence on steroids.
- Weeks 1 to 4Low testosteroneFatigue, low sex drive, erectile problems, and low mood.
- Months 1 to 3RecoveryDepression, which can be severe, and muscle loss; hormone levels slowly recover.
- Months to a year or moreLasting effectsSome people have long-term low testosterone or infertility.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full stanozolol withdrawal guide.
Is stanozolol legal?
Stanozolol is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroid Control Acts of 1990 and 2004. With no marketed human product, nearly all stanozolol sold today is illegal.
- Possession: under federal law, possessing anabolic steroids without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense.
- Selling or importing: distributing Schedule III substances can bring up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Products bought online are often seized at the border.
- Sport: all anabolic steroids are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and US sports organizations.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Class C; possession for personal use is not an offence, but supply is |
| Canada | Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act |
| Australia | Schedule 4 prescription medicine; import controls apply |
| International | Not under UN control; banned in sport by WADA |
Frequently asked questions about stanozolol
Is Winstrol still prescribed?
Not in the US. Human products were discontinued.
Is stanozolol bad for the liver?
Yes. It is 17-alpha-alkylated and can cause liver injury.
Why do athletes use Winstrol?
For lean muscle and strength without water weight. It is banned in sport.
Is stanozolol legal?
No. It is Schedule III with no approved US human product.
How long is stanozolol detectable?
Sport tests can detect metabolites for weeks after use.
Sources
- Anabolic Steroids, MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine.
- Anabolic Steroids, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Controlled Substance Schedules, DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- 21 U.S.C. 841, Prohibited acts A (trafficking penalties), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Stanozolol profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
