Anadrol 50 – Reasons why You Must run an Anadrol Cycle

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What is Anadrol?

If you're looking for serious size and bulk in short order, then you can't do much better than Anadrol, the common trade name for the anabolic steroid oxymetholone. First marketed by Syntex as "Anadrol 50," this drug has been around since the 1960s as a compound capable of treating anemia, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting. Oxymetholone is still used in the medical community today, but it's even more popular as a bodybuilding drug that can give you an incredible muscular explosion. However, Anadrol (a.k.a. "drol") is also one of the most toxic steroids that you'll find. This being said, let's discuss the good and the bad of drol through the following 33 points.

1. You can expect Crazy Mass Gains from an Anadrol Cycle

I wasn't joking when emphasizing how much mass you can put on with Anadrol 50. Some bodybuilders experience weight gains of 20-30 pounds on a cycle only lasting between 4 and 6 weeks. The medical community realizes the mass-gaining effects of this drug, which is why oxymetholone has been used to treat muscular atrophy (1). And research from 2010 showed that continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients gained large amounts of lean muscle mass on this drug (2).

2. You will experience a Fast Strength Increase

Anadrol causes an insanely fast boost in strength, with some Anadrol reviews reporting up to 40-pound increases in compound lifts in just 30 days. Research backs up these anecdotal accounts by showing drol's effect on strength (3) (4). Strength gains is one big reason Anadrol pills (a.k.a. "A-Bombs") are so popular among powerlifters as they near competitions. However, be aware that most of these strength gains can disappear just as quickly as they come.

3. Anadrol will lower your SHBG Level

Testosterone is the building block for many bodybuilding goals, including muscle gain and fat loss. But sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) likes to bind to free testosterone and prevent this all-important male sex hormone from doing its job. That's why you'll be pleased to know that Anadrol can lower your SHBG activity (5), thus allowing your testosterone to help build more muscle and increase your libido.

4. Oxymetholone has a High Anabolic-to-Androgenic Ratio

Anadrol has very high anabolic activity coupled with low androgenic activity. The exact ratio is 320:45, which, in comparison to testosterone’s 100:100 ratio, is quite amazing. A big reason why oxymetholone is so anabolic is because a 2-hydroxymethylene group has been added to its structure, allowing Anadrol to remain active in muscle tissue longer than many other steroids. Meanwhile, this drug doesn't bind very well to androgen receptors, which explains its low androgenic activity.

5. Anadrol is still used to treat Anemia

Oxymetholone is a drug that some doctors still prescribe to treat anemia, given its ability to greatly increase your red blood cell count (6). Research has proven that Anadrol 50 can treat a condition called Fanconi anemia (7); it's also successful in treating other types of anemia too (8). Considering drol's effect on your RBC count, you can expect greater muscular endurance and more-intense weightlifting workouts. However, you should be aware that this huge boost in blood volume can cause painful "pumps" during workouts that especially affect your lower back and shins.

6. Anadrol Results include Soothing Your Joints

Oxymetholone may not be as widely known for joint relief as nandrolone. However, studies have shown that it can aid in the synthesis of anti-inflammatory metabolites (9). For this reason, bodybuilders who have joint problems might stack Anadrol in their cycle because it helps give your joints a lubricated feel, along with all of the mass and strength benefits that we've already discussed.

7. Oxymetholone can treat Osteoporosis

Anadrol isn't the most-popular option for osteoporosis, namely because there are drugs like epoetin alfa that can also treat the problem with fewer side effects. However, drol does have a positive effect on your bone marrow and density. This may not be the sexiest benefit to bodybuilders, but it's good for your overall health.

8. Anadrol will Boost Your Appetite

I can't stress enough how much mass you can put on with oxymetholone in a short time frame. So it's little surprise that this drug is used to boost appetite and weight in muscle-wasting patients. A 2003 clinical trial saw HIV patients who were given Anadrol experience a very large increase in appetite and weight (10). So if you're in a bulking phase, you'll see massive growth by combining drol with increased calories.

Anadrol Side Effects

9. This Drug's Estrogenic Side Effects are a Mystery

Like several other prominent oral anabolic steroids, oxymetholone doesn't aromatize (convert to estrogen). This being said, you'd think that you would be safe from estrogenic side effects like gynecomastia and water retention while on this drug. However, the truth is that you're not - and nobody really seems to know why. One theory that's been floated is that Anadrol may have progestogenic activity, but research reveals this may not be the case (11). Other theories include that this powerful drug can activate estrogen receptors, and/or mimic how estrogen acts. If either of these ideas are true, then an aromatase inhibitor (AI) won't do anything to combat Anadrol's estrogenic side effects. You would instead need a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) like Nolvadex on a cycle; but again, nobody fully knows what's going on here.

10. Anadrol has been modified to pass through Your Liver

Like other oral anabolic steroids, oxymetholone is methylated so that it can pass through your liver. Specifically, it has been modified at the 17th carbon position, making it a C17-alpha-alkylated steroid. Being able to take Anadrol orally is of course very convenient when compared to injectable bodybuilding drugs. However, as we'll discuss next, it's also very toxic to your liver as it passes through.

11. Anadrol is One of the Worst Steroids for Your Liver

There is no greater downside to drol than what it can do to your liver. Oxymetholone is one of the most hepatotoxic steroids in existence, thus greatly reducing the amount of time you can cycle this drug. Beginners shouldn't run an Anadrol cycle any longer than four weeks; more-experienced users may go 5-6 weeks. In any case, just be aware of the havoc that drol can wreak on your liver, going as far as tumors (12) or ruptures (13). Luckily, you shouldn't have to worry about these severe problems as long as you keep your cycles reasonable and supplement with milk thistle and/or Liv52 (14).

12. Acne and Hair Loss are Definite Possibilities on Anadrol

As discussed before, Oxymetholone has a very high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio. Unfortunately, as with many oral anabolic steroids, you still need to be worried about androgenic side effects on this drug. Anadrol is a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derived steroid, which is notorious for causing acne and hair loss. So if you're genetically predisposed to either of these problems, you'll want to closely monitor the situation on oxymetholone. Furthermore, have a good anti-acne body scrub and/or Finasteride (Propecia) on hand for your cycle.

13. This is Definitely not a Good Steroid for Women

Oral steroids like Anavar, Primobolan and Winstrol can be relatively safe choices for women. However, Aandrol is certainly not a great choice for ladies because it can cause some serious virilization (development of male sex characteristics). As you may know, the virilization side effects of steroids can include acne, clitoral enlargement, a deeper voice, facial hair and increased body hair. So unless you're a woman who wants a good start on a sex change, you should steer clear of Anadrol.

14. Oxymetholone can Shut You Down, reduce Your Sperm Count

Any anabolic steroid can suppress your natural (endogenous) testosterone production and cause you to suffer from low libido and lethargy. However, Anadrol can hit you on two fronts because it not only suppresses your endogenous testosterone, but also reduces your sperm count (15). This is why post-cycle therapy (PCT) is so important after using drol so that you restore your hormone levels back to normal. You might also consider using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to boost your testosterone towards the middle and end of a cycle (16).

15. Anadrol is Hard on your Lipid Profiles

Most oral anabolic steroids are hard on your lipid profiles, and Anadrol is no different in this regard. Oxymetholone will both suppress HDL (good) cholesterol and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol. This is certainly not good for guys in poor cardiovascular health, which is why it's recommended that you have a low body fat percentage before using Anadrol (or any steroid). One of the worst cases involving drol saw a 41-year-old bodybuilder suffer both myocardial infarction (interruption of blood flow to heart) and renal (kidney) infarction (17).

Anadrol vs Dbol

16. Anadrol can lead to Bigger Size and Strength Increases than Dianabol

Two of the most-compared oral steroids are oxymetholone and Dianabol (a.k.a. Dbol) because they are both highly effective bulking drugs. As you can see in this Anadrol vs. Dbol debate, there are positives and negatives to using both compounds. But generally speaking, oxymetholone leads to slightly bigger size and strength gains when taken for the same duration as Dbol. Either way, though, you can't go wrong when using Anadrol or Dianabol for bulking purposes.

17. Dbol causes More Hair Loss and a Puffy Face

Another area where Dianabol and Anadrol are comparable is water retention, because both steroids cause you to hold water. But based on anecdotal evidence, one key difference is that Dbol tends to make your face look "puffier." Another side effect that's stronger with Dianabol is hair loss, which would make Anadrol a better choice for those predisposed to this problem.

18. The Anadrol Steroid is More Liver Toxic

Neither of these oral steroids are anything to mess around with when concerning your liver. But you'll likely find that oxymetholone is more hepatotoxic than Dianabol. For evidence of this, just look at how long most people run Dbol and Anadrol cycles; Dianabol is typically run for 6-8 weeks while drol is commonly taken for 4-6 weeks - with the strong suggestion that beginners start at the lower range. However, it should be added that bodybuilders take larger daily doses of Anadrol when on cycle.

19. Dianabol Side Effects are Easier to control

Besides being a little less toxic, Dbol's estrogenic side effects are easier to combat because more is known about this drug. An aromatase inhibitor will do wonders to minimize potential gyno and/or water retention when you're using Dianabol. Many bodybuilders still use AIs and anti-progesterones when taking Anadrol too; but again, it's not completely known what causes oxymetholone's estrogenic side effects.

20. Dbol is a More Universal Compound

Whether one likes Anadrol or Dianabol better is really up to the individual and their personal experience with both drugs. However, Dbol seems to generally be more popular among the bodybuilding masses. Perhaps some of this has to due with history since Dianabol was heavily used by the greats like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sergio Oliva. But Dbol is universally less harsh on athletes' organs when run at safe dosages. This isn't to say that Anadrol isn't worth trying, though, with some bodybuilders handling the side effects quite well and experiencing amazing muscle gains.

21. Anadrol vs. Superdrol

One other comparison worth mentioning in this section is between oxymetholone and Superdrol. Once marketed as a prohormone in the mid-2000s, Superdrol is another powerful bulking steroid that can quickly add mass and strength, making it very close to Anadrol in terms of performance. Results vary by the individual, but Superdrol usually leads to more-keepable muscle and strength gains with less water retention. But believe it or not, Superdrol is more hepatotoxic than even Anadrol and can cause harsher overall side effects. Read more about Superdrol here.

How to take Anadrol

22. A Good Starting Anadrol Dosage is 25mg

Considering that Anadrol side effects can be rather harsh, you should definitely start at the lower end with your dosage. 25mg per day is good for your first two weeks of using drol; from here you can progress to 40-50mg a day if you handle the side effects well. The upper range of Anadrol usage is 100mg daily, but just keep in mind that only a small amount of experienced AAS users should try this due to the potential side effects. Read more on Anadrol dosage here.

23. Due to Anadrol's Short Half-Life, You should take it Twice Daily

The Anadrol half-life is only 8 hours, which means that you should take it twice daily to keep drol at consistent levels. So if you have Anadrol 50(mg), for example, and wanted to run 50mg per day, you'd just split the tablet in half and take one half in the morning and the other half at night. Thanks to the short half-life of oxymetholone, you can expect really fast Anadrol results that kick in within 3-5 days.

24. Anadrol is Normally stacked with Long-Ester Injectables

Many bodybuilders, especially those who don't like injections, have run Anadrol by itself because it's powerful and convenient. However, as you can see in this discussion on Anadrol only cycles, many bodybuilders prefer to stack drol with a long-ester injectable like testosterone enanthate. Specifically, oxymetholone is used to kick-start cycles so that you get fast gains while waiting for the long-ester drug to really take effect. Once the long-ester injectable steroid does kick in, it will help you get more-keepable muscle and strength gains than if you just did drol alone.

25. Oxymetholone is not recommended for AAS Beginners

More than a few steroid beginners have proposed adding Anadrol to their first-ever cycle. And the common response is usually to wait until you're more experienced with AAS before moving on to potentially harsher compounds like oxymetholone. So if you're looking for a good kick-starter for your first cycle, Dianabol is a slightly more-mild choice. Or you could also go with a popular cycle "finisher" like Anavar for the last six weeks of a testosterone cycle.

26. Here's a Sample Anadrol Cycle

Considering that oxymetholone makes such a good kickstarter, it can be used with a variety of drugs. Below you can see one cycle example from EliteFitness, where the user plans to stack testosterone enanthate, Deca Durabolin and Anadrol. Keep in mind that this isn't a good beginning cycle, and the guy doing it is on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT); so he won't be doing any post-cycle therapy. But this cycle should give you a good idea of how oxymetholone is used in conjunction with other drugs:

Source: //www.elitefitness.com/forum/anabolic-steroids/cycle-advice-test-deca-anadrol-1380563.html
Ancillaries: Caber, Aromasin, Creatine
PCT: Not used because guy is on TRT

27. These are Good Ancillaries to use with Anadrol

There are several compounds that you want to consider when using drol. At least one liver protectant like Liv-52 or milk thistle is a must due to this drug's toxicity. When Anadrol is stacked with a number of other compounds, you might also consider HCG on cycle to keep your libido high. As covered before, it's unclear why Anadrol causes estrogenic side effects, considering that it doesn't aromatize. For this reason, some bodybuilders will use both Cabaser (inhibit progesterone) and an AI. Here's a full discussion on Anadrol ancillaries that you can read.

28. Anadrol PCT is a Must

The exact PCT that you run with Anadrol depends heavily on what compounds you stack with it. But the standard PCT for Anadrol and other suppressive drugs includes a combination of Nolvadex and Clomid for four weeks. An example would include running the following 4-week PCT, and keep in mind that dosage can change based on how many steroids you're cycling: Clomid - 100mg per day (week 1)/100mg/50mg/50mg Novladex - 40mg per day (week 1)/40mg/20mg/20mg

Is Anadrol Legal?

29. Anadrol is Illegal in Most Countries

Most countries have made Anadrol and other anabolic steroids illegal, including the United States, where you can be fined and jailed for possessing this drug. A lot of other developed countries like Australia, Britain and Canada also have strict laws on oxymetholone. However, this isn't to say that every country is so Draconian about the matter. Mexico and Thailand are both popular countries for buying pharma-grade anabolic steroids with ease. Several countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe also allow people to buy steroids for recreational use.

30. Plenty of Underground Labs sell Anadrol

Luckily there are lots of places to buy Anadrol over the internet because several countries have an abundance of underground labs (UGLs). These labs will sell you anabolic steroids directly over the internet, regardless of whether or not these drugs are legal in your country. Of course, buying black-market steroids is certainly a dicey proposition and you can receive underdosed or even completely fake products. That said, you take your chances when ordering from UGLs, with some actually selling quality gear.

31. The Anadrol Price isn't Too Expensive

For the power and small amount of Anadrol needed, it's a relatively cheap anabolic steroid. The black-market price normally ranges between $1 and $3 for a 50mg tab. And you don't necessarily have to pay the higher price since you can find quality oxymetholone at the lower price range. But again, just be careful when buying Anadrol online so that you don't get burned with a cheap product.

What are your thoughts on Anadrol? Do you think it's a great drug, or do you steer clear of it. Click here to discuss the pros and cons of Anadrol on the EliteFitness.com forums.

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Author: George Spellwin