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Key information
Here’s a quick overview of Anadrol:
|
Parameter |
Key Information |
|
What it is |
A powerful oral anabolic steroid (Oxymetholone) used for explosive mass and strength gains. It's a kickstarter, not a cutting agent. |
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How it works |
Drastically increases protein synthesis and red blood cell count, while forcing significant water and glycogen retention inside muscle cells for rapid size. |
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When to use |
As a 4-6 week kickstart at the beginning of a bulking cycle. It is ineffective for cutting or when lean. |
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Dosage |
Start with 25 mg/day to assess tolerance. Effective dose is 50 mg/day; maximum is 100 mg/day (experienced users only). |
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When to take |
Once daily, ideally with food to minimize nausea. Use for a maximum of 6 weeks due to liver toxicity. |
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Cycle |
Must be stacked with a testosterone base (e.g., Testosterone Enanthate). Never used alone ("solo"). |
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Effect |
Rapid and dramatic increases in muscle size, strength, and endurance. Causes significant intracellular water retention for a full, hard look. |
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Risks |
High liver toxicity, severe blood pressure spikes, crushing lethargy, progestogenic gyno risk, and strong androgenic side effects (hair loss, acne). Requires strict PCT (e.g., Clomid). |
What is Anadrol? Steroid overview
Anadrol (Oxymetholone) is a powerful oral anabolic steroid. Use it for one purpose: rapid and significant gains in muscle size and strength. It is not intended for fat loss, cutting, or achieving a lean look.
Here is what you need to know about how it works:
- Primary effect: it is one of the most effective steroids for increasing protein synthesis, which is the fundamental process for building muscle tissue.
- Secondary mechanism: it strongly stimulates the production of red blood cells. This improves oxygen delivery to your muscles, leading to dramatic increases in strength, endurance, and the intensity of your muscle pumps.
- The "weight gain" effect: a significant portion of the rapid weight gain — often 10-20 pounds in a short cycle — comes from fluid and glycogen retention inside the muscle cells. This makes your muscles look fuller, harder, and larger very quickly.
So, you take Anadrol when your main goal is to get bigger and stronger in the shortest time possible.
How it works on your body
Here's exactly what happens inside you when you take it.
- It supercharges protein synthesis. Anadrol significantly increases the rate at which your body builds new muscle protein. It essentially puts your muscle-building machinery into overdrive, provided you are eating enough calories and protein to support it.
- It drastically increases red blood cell count. Anadrol strongly stimulates erythropoiesis — the production of red blood cells. More red blood cells mean your blood can carry more oxygen to your muscles. This is why you experience explosive strength increases, improved muscular endurance and sometimes painful pumps during training.
- It causes significant fluid and glycogen retention. Anadrol pulls a large amount of water and carbohydrates (as glycogen) inside your muscle cells, not under your skin. Your muscles look much larger, fuller, and harder within days.
- It is strongly androgenic. Derived from DHT, it activates androgenic receptors. This contributes to the strength gains and aggressive mindset, but also drives common side effects like oily skin, acne, and accelerated hair loss if you are genetically prone.
Anadrol cycle guide: 25 mg dosage and PCT
Running an Anadrol cycle is about harnessing its raw power while minimizing the inevitable damage. This guide will show you how.
Start Anadrol with 25 mg dosage
The smart move is to begin with 25 mg per day, taken once in the morning. This allows your body to adjust to the compound and lets you gauge your tolerance to the intense sides, especially the blood pressure spike and lethargy.
After the first week, if you are handling it well, you can increase the dose to the standard range:
- Effective dose: 50 mg per day.
- Maximum dose: 100m g per day (for experienced users only).
- Cycle length: strictly 4 to 6 weeks. Never exceed 6 weeks due to extreme liver toxicity. For a deeper look at liver toxicity and protection, see our full breakdown here.
Why 25mg first? Anadrol is immensely powerful.
Starting low helps you avoid being forced to stop your cycle early by unmanageable side effects, allowing you to run the full, effective duration.
Post cycle therapy (PCT) after Anadrol
Anadrol will completely shut down your body's natural testosterone production. So a proper Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) is mandatory to recover. Post cycle therapy plays a key role — you can read more about it in our complete overview of steroid cycle.
Because Anadrol is non-aromatizing and often stacked with strong compounds, a standard PCT involves a SERM to restart your pituitary function:
- Clomiphene (Clomid) is a common and effective choice.
- Dosage: start with 50 mg per day for the first two weeks. If recovery is slow, you can use 100 mg for the first week before tapering down.
- Duration: 2 to 4 weeks, beginning 2-3 days after your last oral Anadrol dose, or according to the ester of your injectable base (e.g., 2 weeks after last Test Enanthate injection).
Best cycles and stacks
Anadrol is almost never used solo. You must always run Anadrol with a testosterone base to prevent a catastrophic hormonal crash. Below are the most effective and popular cycles to run it in.
Anadrol and Testosterone Cycle
This is the fundamental mass stack. Testosterone provides the essential hormonal base for your entire body to function properly, while Anadrol supercharges the first weeks with unbelievable size and strength.
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Week |
Test E/C, mg/week |
Anadrol, mg/day |
Arimidex, mg/EOD |
Liver Support |
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1-6 |
500 |
50 |
0.5 |
Essential |
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7-12 |
500 |
― |
As needed |
Recommended |
This is the foundational and most recommended stack for a powerful, first-time mass cycle. If you want to understand how aromatase inhibitors support cycle, start with this guide of Arimidex.
Anadrol, Testosterone and Equipoise Cycle
This classic bulk stack is for sustained, quality growth. Testosterone is the base, Equipoise (Boldenone) enhances steady gains, endurance, and vascularity, and Anadrol delivers the dramatic kickoff.
|
Week |
Test E, mg/week |
Equipoise, mg/week |
Anadrol, mg/day |
Arimidex, mg/EOD |
Liver Support |
|
1-6 |
500 |
600 |
50 |
0.5 |
Essential |
|
7-16 |
500 |
600 |
― |
As needed |
Recommended |
Choose this stack for a longer, more balanced bulk with improved muscle hardness and endurance.
Anadrol, Testosterone and Trenbolone Cycle
This is an advanced, hardcore stack for maximum size and density. The synergy between Testosterone, Trenbolone, and Anadrol is incredibly powerful but also extremely taxing on your body and mind.
|
Week |
Test E, mg/week |
Tren E, mg/week |
Anadrol, mg/day |
Aromasin, mg/EOD* |
Caber, mg/week* |
Liver Support |
|
1-6 |
350 |
400 |
50 |
12.5 |
0.25 - 0.5 |
Critical |
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7-14 |
350 |
400 |
― |
As needed |
As needed |
Critical |
This is a strictly expert-level cycle for those seeking the ultimate in anabolic results, willing to manage severe side effects. We explain Trenbolone esters, injection frequency, and PCT in a separate post about Trenbolone Acetate.
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Anadrol side effects
Running Anadrol is a calculated risk. You trade short-term explosive gains for significant short-term health stress. Here’s what will likely hit you:
Your liver takes a direct hit. This is non-negotiable. Anadrol is a C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) oral, making it highly liver-toxic. Expect your liver enzymes (ALT/AST) to skyrocket. This is why you never run it for more than 6 weeks and always use liver support (NAC, TUDCA).
Your blood pressure will spike. Anadrol causes severe water retention and increases red blood cell count, thickening your blood. This combination strains your heart and sends your BP through the roof. You must monitor it and be ready with blood pressure support. For a clear explanation of blood pressure spike, read this article.
You'll feel crushing lethargy. It's a deep, systemic fatigue that makes everyday tasks a chore. It's caused by the metabolic strain and is one of the most common reasons people stop their cycle early.
"Anadrol gyno" is a real risk. Even though Anadrol doesn't convert to estrogen, it has strong progestogenic activity. This can stimulate breast tissue growth on its own and also make your existing estrogen more potent. Have an AI (Aromasin/Arimidex) and a SERM (Nolvadex) on hand.
Other common annoyances: pumps that can become painful, headaches, nausea, and a dramatic suppression of your appetite — which is ironic when you're trying to eat for massive growth.
Personal experience: what anadrol feels like in real life
On paper, Anadrol looks like a mass-building monster. In real life, reactions to it are usually split between excitement and caution. Here are two perspectives you’ll hear most often — from someone who used it personally, and from a coach who sees its effects across different athletes.
Jake, recreational bodybuilder
“Anadrol hit fast. Within the first week my body weight jumped, pumps were insane, and strength went up almost every workout. I felt big — like my muscles were constantly full.
The downside came just as fast. Blood pressure felt high, I was more tired than usual, and appetite actually dropped. For me, Anadrol worked best as a short kickstart. I wouldn’t want to stay on it long, but for quick size and strength, nothing I’ve tried compares.”
Short-term impact is exactly what most users notice first — dramatic gains, paired with noticeable stress on the body. From the coaching side, Anadrol is handled with much more restraint.
Ryan, strength & bodybuilding coach
“I only use Anadrol with experienced lifters, and only for short periods. It’s not a casual compound.
Where it makes sense is the start of a bulk — when the goal is rapid size and strength, and the athlete understands the trade-offs. If recovery, blood pressure, or discipline isn’t there, Anadrol becomes a problem fast. It’s powerful, but unforgiving.”
Anadrol delivers extreme results, but demands respect. Used briefly and with clear intent, it does exactly what it’s known for.
Price and availability in 2025
In 2025, the price of Anadrol typically ranges from $60 to $100 per 50 mg/mL vial. Below are the options currently available:
Will Anadrol cause gyno?
Yes, Anadrol can cause gynecomastia — even though it does not aromatize into estrogen. This confuses a lot of users.
The reason is Anadrol’s progestogenic activity. It can stimulate breast tissue directly and also make existing estrogen in your body more potent at the receptor level. That means gyno can develop even when blood estrogen levels don’t look high.
The risk increases if:
- you’re already prone to gyno;
- estrogen is poorly controlled in a test-based cycle;
- Anadrol is run at higher doses or for too long.
This is why you can keep both an aromatase inhibitor (AI) and a SERM on hand during Anadrol cycles.
Does Anadrol damage your liver
Short answer: yes — and you need to take that seriously. Anadrol is highly liver-toxic. It’s a C17-alpha alkylated oral steroid, which means it survives digestion — and that same modification is what makes it rough on your liver. Even short runs often show sharp spikes in ALT and AST on blood work.
Here’s what matters in practice:
- liver stress depends on dose and how long you run it;
- cycles longer than 4–6 weeks raise the risk fast;
- you might feel fine while damage is already happening.
That’s why Anadrol is used as a short-term kickstarter, not something you stay on. Treat it like a sprint, not a marathon — your liver doesn’t get unlimited second chances.
Anadrol and alcohol: is it a bad idea?
Yes — it’s a very bad idea. Mixing Anadrol and alcohol is strongly discouraged because both are processed by your liver. When you combine them, you’re stacking stress on the same organ, and the risk adds up fast.
What that can lead to acute liver strain or injury, sharper spikes in blood pressure, nausea, headaches, and crushing fatigue.
Even “just a few drinks” can noticeably worsen liver markers while you’re on Anadrol. From a risk-reward point of view, alcohol gives you zero upside on cycle and a whole lot of downside. If you’re running Anadrol, the smart move is simple: skip the alcohol completely.
Can Anadrol cause hair loss or acne
Yes — both are possible. Anadrol’s strong androgenic activity can increase oil production, leading to acne, especially on the back, shoulders, and chest. This is more likely if you’re already prone to breakouts, and higher doses make it worse.
Hair loss can also happen if you’re genetically predisposed. Even though Anadrol doesn’t convert to DHT, it still activates androgen receptors and can accelerate male pattern baldness in sensitive users. If you’re not predisposed, you may see little or no effect.
Why does Anadrol make you tired
If you feel unusually wiped out on Anadrol, you’re not imagining it. This isn’t normal post-workout tiredness — it’s a deep, full-body fatigue. A few things hit you at the same time:
- your liver is under stress, which slows your overall metabolism;
- your blood pressure goes up and your blood gets thicker from increased red blood cells;
- water and electrolyte shifts mess with how you feel day to day;
- your appetite often drops, even though your body actually needs more calories.
When all of this stacks up, you get that heavy, drained feeling. For many users, this fatigue — not lack of results — is what ultimately limits how long they can tolerate Anadrol.
Comparison: Anadrol vs. other mass-builders
You know Anadrol is a beast for size and strength, but how does it really stack up against other popular orals? Let's break it down so you can choose the right weapon for your goals.
Anadrol vs Dbol (dianabol)
Anadrol forces water inside muscle cells for fast, huge fullness but causes painful pumps and high blood pressure, without estrogenic gyno. Dianabol aromatizes, giving a great pumped feel and mood, but you hold water under the skin and must control estrogen. Choose Anadrol for maximum size/strength fast; choose Dbol for a better-feeling bulk with estrogen management.
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Anadrol vs Anavar
Anadrol is a blunt-force mass and strength tool. Anavar is a surgical cutting and hardening agent with minimal bloat. They are for opposite goals: use Anadrol to get huge; use Anavar to get shredded.To see how it compares to other compounds, check out our in-depth analysis of Anavar.
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Anadrol vs Superdrol
Anadrol delivers faster weight and strength gains but with significant water retention and systemic stress (lethargy, blood pressure). Superdrol provides drier, denser muscle gains but is even more brutal on cholesterol and liver markers. Both are highly toxic; Anadrol stresses how you feel, Superdrol stresses your health numbers.
FAQ in 2025
What is Anadrol best for?
It's best for packing on maximum size and strength as fast as possible. Think of it as a 4-6 week bulldozer for a bulking cycle.
Is Anadrol safe for women?
No. It is one of the worst steroids a woman can take due to its extremely strong androgenic effects, which cause rapid and often irreversible virilization (e.g., voice deepening).
Can Anadrol cause gyno?
Yes, it can. While it doesn't convert to estrogen, it is highly progestogenic, which can stimulate breast tissue growth on its own. You need to have an AI (like Aromasin) and a SERM (like Nolvadex) on hand.
What’s the #1 side effect?
The combination of severe liver toxicity and dangerous spikes in blood pressure. You must use liver support (TUDCA/NAC) and monitor your BP daily.
How long should I run an Anadrol cycle?
Never longer than 6 weeks. Its hepatotoxicity makes longer use unsafe. It's designed as a powerful kickstart, not a long-term base.
Do I need Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) after Anadrol?
Absolutely. Anadrol will shut down your natural testosterone production completely. A proper PCT with Clomid or Nolvadex is mandatory to recover.
Can I take Anadrol on an empty stomach?
It's not recommended. Taking it with food can help reduce the common side effects of nausea and stomach upset.
Conclusion for bodybuilders
Anadrol delivers exactly what it promises: a rapid and dramatic transformation in size and strength that few other compounds can match. However, these spectacular results are a short-term loan against your long-term health, with interest paid in liver stress, blood pressure spikes, and severe hormonal disruption.
Use it wisely as a targeted kickstart, respect its toxicity, and always have a meticulous post-cycle plan.
