Anadrol is an anabolic steroid that also goes by the name A50 or A-bombs. Although it was initially developed for medical purposes, it’s now one of the most popular oral steroids on the market.
What is Anadrol?
Anadrol, which is the brand name for oxymetholone, is one of the most powerful anabolic steroids available today. Known for its high liver toxicity, Anadrol was initially developed as a compound to help people with anemia. Over the years, it’s primarily been used to help people alleviate symptoms of conditions where weight loss is a concern. That’s because Anadrol is an effective weight gain agent.
Anadrol works by increasing appetite and raising your red blood cell count.
The steroid also goes by names like A50, Anadrol 50, or A-Bombs. It’s an oral steroid (you take it by mouth). It’s also one of the easiest steroids to buy on the black market.
Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know about Anadrol and how it works.
How Does Anadrol Work?
Anadrol is derived from DHT. It’s a 17-alpha-alkylated steroid (17aa), which means that it has been altered at the 17th carbon position to survive oral ingestion. Most other oral steroids are also 17aa, because it helps them survive your body’s natural digestion process to achieve their desired effects throughout your body.
The fact that Anadrol is “17aa” means that it survives a “first pass” through your liver. That may sound like a good thing – but it’s actually the main reason why Anadrol is so toxic to your liver.
Ultimately, like many other anabolic steroids, Anadrol can lead to significant muscle gains. Most users report that the gains from Anadrol are quite dramatic over the first 3 weeks of usage before they level off, which is why many people do a 3 week cycle.
Anadrol 50 is derived from DHT. However, it can’t actually convert to estrogen (via the aromatase enzyme). It’s also not a progestin or a compound with progenestic activity – which means the estrogenic side effects linked to Anadrol are mysterious in nature. It’s been thought the side effects are caused by the fact that Anadrol may stimulate the estrogen receptor without actually being converted to estrogen. However, like most steroids, widespread medical research on its methods of action is lacking.
Anadrol Side Effects
Anadrol has well-documented side effects. As mentioned above, it’s one of the worst oral steroids for your liver. It comes with high toxicity and significantly lowers your body’s natural production of testosterone – so you’ll want to implement a careful PCT regimen after your cycle.
In one 30 week study on Anadrol, researchers noticed a significant number of side effects. That study also tells us more about the beneficial effects of Anadrol, so we’ll talk about the results of the study below.
-The study was performed on people suffering from AIDS-related muscle wasting
-These people actually gained weight while taking Anadrol, while a control group lost weight
-The control group not taking Anadrol had increased mortality rates
-Weight gain in this study (among the Anadrol group) peaked at 19 to 20 weeks, with the remaining 10 weeks (it was a 30 week study) not leading to a significant amount of weight gain
Overall, the side effects you should expect from Anadrol include all of the following: gynecomastia, water retention, acne and accelerated hair loss, testosterone suppression, and hepatotoxicity.
Some users also report headaches, bloating, elevated blood pressure, and a general feeling of “unwell”.
Ultimately, people reference this study as evidence that the side effects of Anadrol can be kept under control and that the drug can be used safely. Typically, people cycle on Anadrol for less than 4 weeks, but some people have been known to use it for 6 weeks at a time – and they cite this AIDS study as evidence.
Anadrol Cycles
Typically, Anadrol users online report that they use Anadrol either on its own or as part of a cycle including injectable steroids. However, they don’t use it as part of a cycle with other 17aa compounds (i.e. other oral steroids).
One of the most important things to remember when setting up your Anadrol cycle is that it doesn’t have the same dose respondent curve as other steroids. The “dose respondent curve” is basically just a fancy way of saying that the higher your dose is, the more gains you’ll experience. Unlike other steroids, Anadrol’s dose respondent curve flattens quickly, which means that you don’t benefit as much from higher dosages.
In any case, users typically report good gains by taking 50mg of Anadrol per day, and even better gains by taking 100mg of Anadrol. However, dosages beyond 100mg are generally not well-reviewed: people report that a dose of 150mg per day is as effective as 100mg per day for weight gain, but it also leads to undesired side effects.
The length of your cycle should vary based on your dosage. If you’re taking just 25mg per day, then you may want to take Anadrol for up to 8 weeks. If you’re taking 100mg per day, you shouldn’t take it for longer than 3 or 4 weeks.
Post-Cycle Therapy
Anadrol doesn’t require significantly different PCT than other anabolic steroids. Always take a break between your cycles, and limit your number of cycles per year to prevent liver damage. As a rule of thumb, avoid taking Anadrol for more than 16 to 20 total weeks of the year.
After a cycle, users typically complete a PCT containing Clomid and/or Nolvadex for 4 to 6 weeks. Some people also supplement with hCG to help with side effects like testicular atrophy.
Anadrol Pricing
Anadrol is illegal. However, it’s widely available on the black market and is relatively easy to buy online. You can find Anadrol, or oxymetholone, sold online from the usual sources.
Be wary of people who try to capitalize on the Anadrol name for their own personal profit. Crazy Bulks, a supplement company, makes a supplement called Anadrole that contains no actual anabolic steroids, but is clearly named in a way designed to lure people in.
Is Anadrol Illegal?
Anadrol was once a popular medication used for legitimate medical purposes. However, the FDA recognized its potential for abuse back in the 1980s, which is when it was added to the list of controlled substances. That’s why t’s not legal for you to buy, possess, or use Anadrol.
Today, doctors still use Anadrol to treat conditions like anemia and autoimmune disorders. However, this is typically only prescribed after trying less-powerful compounds.
Ultimately, Anadrol is a powerful anabolic steroid linked with significant weight gain effects – and also a wide range of side effects. Use Anadrol at your own risk.
