Oral — 17α-alkylated (hepatotoxic at high dose/long duration)
QSC format
Research tablet kits ≥99% HPLC — Janoshik COA
Mechanism of Action
Oxandrolone is the most extensively clinically studied oral anabolic steroid — with published human trial data in burn patients, HIV wasting, Turner syndrome, and constitutional growth delay. Its clinical data set is larger than any other oral androgen in the QSC catalog. The mechanism is straightforward: AR agonism with very low androgenic activity (24 vs testosterone 100) and no aromatisation. The exceptionally high anabolic:androgenic ratio (322-630:24) makes oxandrolone the most anabolically selective compound in the steroid catalog. Mechanistically, oxandrolone promotes net protein synthesis through AR/IGF-1/mTOR axis with minimal androgenic side effects. It is uniquely suitable for muscle preservation research in vulnerable populations (paediatric, elderly, burns) because its androgenic profile is too low to cause meaningful virilisation.
Key Research Studies
Study
Finding
Wolf et al. 2006 (Crit Care Med)
Oxandrolone in severe burn patients — preserved lean body mass, reduced hospital stay, improved outcomes. RCT with n=235 — largest burn muscle preservation trial
Orr & Singh 2004 (Drugs)
Comprehensive review of oxandrolone in HIV wasting — weight gain, lean body mass preservation confirmed across multiple trials
Jeschke et al. 2012 (Ann Surg)
Paediatric burn study: oxandrolone improved lean mass, bone mineral density, and growth velocity — safety profile confirmed in children
Prepubertal male rats: oxandrolone 1-5mg/kg/day × 4 weeks. Linear growth (body length), growth plate thickness (H&E), IGF-1 (serum ELISA), bone mineral density (DEXA). Low androgenic activity allows growth study without premature epiphyseal closure.
Comparative AR pharmacology
AR competitive binding: oxandrolone vs testosterone vs stanozolol vs nandrolone. Reporter gene assay (ARE-luciferase). Hepatotoxicity: HepG2 × 48hr — establishes oxandrolone as mild hepatic AR activator compared to higher-dose methylated androgens.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does oxandrolone have the largest clinical dataset of any oral anabolic steroid?
Oxandrolone was developed and used clinically before regulatory restrictions tightened. It has published RCT data in burn patients (Wolf 2006, n=235), HIV wasting, Turner syndrome, and paediatric growth delay — populations where its low androgenic activity made it appropriate for vulnerable groups including children.
Does oxandrolone aromatise?
No — oxandrolone has no C4-C5 double bond and does not aromatise. This makes it one of the cleanest androgen research compounds — AR activation without oestrogen confounds.
What is oxandrolone’s anabolic:androgenic ratio?
Published values range from 322 to 630 anabolic:24 androgenic (vs testosterone 100:100). The extremely low androgenic activity (24) and very high anabolic index make oxandrolone the most anabolically selective compound in the QSC oral androgen catalog.
