Oxandrolone at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Oxandrolone
- Brand names
- Oxandrin (withdrawn); street: Anavar
- Drug class
- Oral 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic-androgenic steroid
- US legal status
- Schedule III; no FDA-approved product since June 2023
- Former uses
- Weight regain after surgery, infection, or trauma; offsetting protein loss from corticosteroids; bone pain in osteoporosis
- Forms
- Tablets (illicit or compounded)
- Half-life
- About 9 hours
What is oxandrolone?
Oxandrin was approved in 1964 to help people regain weight lost after surgery, chronic infection, or severe trauma.[1]
In June 2023 the FDA withdrew approval of Oxandrin and generic oxandrolone tablets at the makers' request, after the agency concluded that a potential problem with the drug was serious enough that it should be removed from the market.[1]
Oxandrolone effects and how long they last
Oxandrolone is considered a milder steroid and is popular with women and with men cutting body fat. It increases muscle protein synthesis and strength, with somewhat fewer androgenic effects than many steroids, but still suppresses natural hormones.[2]
Oxandrolone side effects and risks
Liver: oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroids can cause liver injury, cholestasis, blood-filled liver cysts (peliosis hepatis), and liver tumors.[3]
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.[3]
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.[3]
Mood: irritability, aggression, mood swings, and depression, especially after stopping.
Fake and contaminated products: most steroids are bought from underground labs or online. Tests often find wrong ingredients or doses, and injectable products can be non-sterile.
Oxandrolone interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| 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 |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
Oxandrolone overdose: signs and what to do
Oxandrolone 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.[3]
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.[2]
- 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.
Warning: Depression after stopping steroids can be severe and has been linked to suicide. Anyone with thoughts of self-harm should call or text 988.
A clinician can check hormone levels, treat depression, and help hormones recover. Some people need specialist care.
Is oxandrolone legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
Oxandrolone is a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroid Control Acts of 1990 and 2004. Since FDA approval was withdrawn in 2023, there is no approved US product, so virtually all oxandrolone sold today is illegal.[4]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[6]
- Sport: all anabolic steroids are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and US sports organizations.
Where can someone get help with oxandrolone use?
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[7]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[8]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
Oxandrolone legal status in other countries
| 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 |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[9]
Common questions about oxandrolone
Is Anavar legal?
No. It is a Schedule III steroid with no FDA-approved product since 2023.
Why was oxandrolone taken off the market?
The FDA concluded its benefits no longer outweighed risks such as liver damage and harmful cholesterol changes.
Is Anavar safe for women?
No steroid is safe for non-medical use. Women can develop permanent deepening of the voice, facial hair, and other changes.
Is oxandrolone liver toxic?
Yes. As an oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroid it can damage the liver.
Can oxandrolone be detected in drug tests?
Yes. Sport testing detects it and its metabolites for weeks.
Sources
- Gemini Laboratories, LLC, et al.; Withdrawal of Approval of One New Drug Application for OXANDRIN (Oxandrolone) Tablets and Four Abbreviated New Drug Applications. Federal Register, June 28, 2023.
- Anabolic Steroids. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Anabolic Steroids. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine.
- 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.
