Anadrol is one of the fastest working steroids, its proper name is Oxymetholone. Anadrol is used for bodybuilding, here are the expected results, the dosage and potential side effects. Here are some alternatives as well.
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Anadrol Review
Anadrol is a branded version of the synthetic steroid Oxymetholone. It’s been available since the 1960s and is one of the fastest acting anabolic steroids you can get.
This article is about Anadrol – an illegal steroid. We on no account condone it’s use. We will not provide any kind of buying information. This is article is for information and education only. Any scientific reference will include a source link
In fact, it’s such a powerful steroid some bodybuilders using it gain 30+ pounds in as little as 6 weeks.
However, if you are thinking of using it, there’s another important thing you need to know about Anadrol. Despite its virtues as a muscle builder, it’s the most dangerous oral steroid you can get.
That’s probably something you didn’t want to hear, but it’s a damned important consideration so take it on board. Anadrol is a hardcore steroid and there’s a dark streak of nasty that accompanies all that good stuff it can do.
Anadrol is a 17-alpha alkylated steroid [source] and it’s extremely toxic to the liver. If you use it, there could be some pathological changes to your liver values after just a few weeks.
A Short History Lesson
Anadrol was developed during the 1960s and was originally used as a treatment for anemia [source] and osteoporosis [source]. It later proved to have value for stimulating muscle growth in malnourished people.
Not surprisingly, this latter ability caused it to become a very popular bodybuilding steroid.
The popularity of the steroid was given a further boost by famous steroid guru Dan Duchaine, who recommended it strongly.
Ironically, Duchaine had to stop using the steroid himself because it was making his stomach swell up.
How Anadrol Works
Anadrol brings a number of things to the table. For one thing, it improves protein synthesis and nitrogen retention.
Both these things allow it to create the perfect environment for muscle growth. It also boosts the appetite, which is not a bad thing for anyone hoping to make serious gains.
However, other steroids boost protein synthesis and nitrogen levels as well. One of the things that makes Anadrol special is its ability to boost red blood cell production.
Let’s not forget the fact that we are talking about a steroid that was originally used for treating anemia. This being the case, it’s not so surprising that Anadrol gives red blood cells production a massive boost.
Muscles need oxygen. It’s necessary for aerobic energy production and the need for oxygen increases during a workout.
If the red blood cells fail to provide enough oxygen, it leads to a build-up of lactic acid. Then, before you know it, your muscles are too sore to proceed.
Anadrol can’t stop this from happening. Nothing can. However, it does slow the process down and make it possible to work out harder for longer periods of time.
How to Use Anadrol
Although it’s primary value is as a bulking steroid, some people do use it during cutting cycles. It comes down to a matter of personal preference, but water retention is an issue with this steroid. That being the case, it’s not an obvious choice for use while cutting.
Because it has a half life of just 16 hours a dose is needed every day.
The most common dose is 50 mg per day, but some bodybuilders use double this amount. Go any higher than that and you will be going into some very risky territory.
The Best Time to Use Anadrol
Due to the hepatotoxicity Anadrol causes to the liver, it can’t be used for the full duration of a cycle.
However, there are four ways you can incorporate it into a cycle.
1. To Kick Start a Cycle
There’s a lot to be said or using this fast-acting steroid at the beginning of a cycle.
While you are still waiting for slower-acting steroids to get work, it can get things off to a good start.
2. As a Mid-Cycle Booster
A lot of bodybuilders find their gains start to slow mid-cycle. That’s a good time to bring in the big guns.
Using Anadrol mid-cycle is a good way to blast through plateaus so it generally works well.
3. For a “Big” Finish
A lot of bodybuilders also like to “save the best ’till last and go for a big finish. The ones who do, use Anadrol towards the end of their cycles.
It’s a case of different strokes for different folks. but using Anadrol in this way makes a lot of sense as well.
4. For Cutting
Anadrol isn’t an obvious choice for cutting. Other steroids, such as Clenbuterol, are generally considered better suited for this type of work.
However, due to its high anabolic capacity, using Anadrol towards the end of a cutting can be a good way to prevent loss of muscle mass.
Anadrol Side Effects
Anadrol places a great deal of strain on the liver. More than any other steroid. If you use it your liver enzymes will rise much higher than they should be.
Presuming your liver is healthy prior to using the steroid, your liver should be able to heal any damage caused. However, there are no guarantees and irresponsible use of the steroid will further increase the risk of permanent harm.
Headaches can also be a big problem with this steroid. As is water retention. So your big gains may not be as big as they seem. Some of your increased mass may be water.
Due to the way it affects estrogen levels, Anadrol is also capable of causing man boobs (gynecomastia). It elevates blood pressure as well.
Other common side effects include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Decrease in ejaculatory volume (men)
- Erectile dysfunction (men)
- Menstrual abnormalities (women)
- Increased body hair (women)
- Decreased sex drive
- Depression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Congestive heart failure
Anadrol Pros and Cons
Anabolic steroids are as renowned for causing side effects as they are for delivering phenomenal muscle growth.
| PROS | CONS |
| Fast acting | Illegal |
| Massive muscle and strength gains | Has many side effects |
| Boosts energy | Very toxic to the liver |
| Improves stamina | Water retention |
| Speeds up recovery | Competition bans |
| No need for injections | Bad for the heart |
| Gains disappear fast | |
| Requires post cycle therapy | |
| Safer alternatives available |
Is Anadrol for Bodybuilding Worth the Risk?
Back in the 1970s when steroids were still in their heyday the big question would be “how bad do you want it?”
For a lot of bodybuilders, the answer was “Bad!” It was common practice to see steroids as a necessary evil. Especially the most powerful ones like Anadrol.
It was a case of pay the money, make your choice, and worry about the consequences later.
More than half a century later, bodybuilders are still asking themselves how bad they want it. Many of them decide they want it bad enough to take the risk, use Anadrol.
So, in that way, nothing has changed. However, the world didn’t stop turning back in the 1970s. It kept going, time has moved on, and there have been incredible advances made in the supplement industry.
Anadrol is a powerful steroid. If you want to get big it can help, but the price is too high. Modern alternatives can provide similar benefits without any cost to the health.
So, if you are standing at a crossroads asking yourself how bad you want it, stop for a moment. Take a look around you. Then ask yourself if it’s really worth going in the direction you were considering.
Take a ride through Steroid Central and you are likely to find some pretty nasty bumps in the road. These days there are other routes you can take that will get you where you want to be just as fast but give you the benefit of a smoother ride.
Our Advice on Anadrol for Bodybuilding
The risks are simply not worth it – especially when you can use a supplement that will produce similar results while being completely free of adverse reactions
CrazyBulk produce a range of bodybuilding supplements that have become best sellers in the supplement industry. A great alternative to Anadrol is Anadrole – it can provide the following benefits:
- You can expect extreme gains
- Quick gains at the start of a cycle
- Maximum strength and stamina
- Fast recovery
Anadrol BodyBuilding FAQ
Women have used it, but it’s a seriously bad idea. This steroid offers a high risk of virilization. A deep voice and hairy back aren’t very ladylike. Most girls don’t want that. Women who use Anadrol can also find their clitoris grows unusually large. Again, that’s not really something the average girl wants.
Yes, always. Anadrol retards normal testosterone production so you will need to do a post cycle therapy to help get things back to normal.
It generally remains detectable for around eight weeks. The length of time may vary a little from one user to the next though. However, it’s a steroid that can hang around in your system for quite a long time.
There is no difference. It’s the same steroid. The “50” in Anadrol 50 serves no other purpose than to indicate the tablet strength, which is 50 mg.
