Recommended Dosage of Anavar (Oxandrolone)
The recommended dosage of Anavar (oxandrolone) for adults is 2.5 mg to 20 mg daily, given in 2 to 4 divided doses, with therapy typically lasting 2-4 weeks and potentially repeated intermittently as indicated. 1
Adult Dosing Guidelines
- For adults, the standard daily dosage range is 2.5 mg to 20 mg, with individual response varying significantly 1
- The medication should be administered in 2-4 divided doses throughout the day 1
- A typical course of therapy lasts 2-4 weeks and may be repeated intermittently based on clinical response 1
- For geriatric patients, the recommended dosage is 5 mg twice daily (10 mg total daily dose) 1
Pediatric Dosing Guidelines
- For children, the total daily dosage is ≤0.1 mg per kilogram body weight or ≤0.045 mg per pound of body weight 1
- Pediatric therapy may also be repeated intermittently as clinically indicated 1
- In studies for constitutionally delayed growth, doses of approximately 0.1-0.12 mg/kg/day have been used safely for up to 12 months 2
Special Populations and Considerations
- Oxandrolone has been studied in critical illness recovery, particularly in burn patients, at doses of 10 mg twice daily (20 mg total daily) 3
- In HIV-associated weight loss, doses ranging from 20-80 mg daily have been studied, with 40 mg showing significant benefits for body weight and body cell mass gains 4
- In older men (60-87 years), 20 mg daily for 12 weeks has shown improvements in lean body mass and muscle strength 5
Important Safety Considerations
- Therapy with oxandrolone is adjunctive and not a replacement for conventional therapy 1
- Most adverse effects are dose-related and can be minimized by titrating to the lowest effective dose 6
- Common side effects in women include virilization, hirsutism, hoarseness, weight gain, menstrual irregularities, and breast hypotrophy 6
- Female patients can still ovulate while taking oxandrolone and should use contraceptive methods during treatment 6
- Oxandrolone treatment is associated with significant increases in liver enzymes and unfavorable changes in lipid profile (increased LDL, decreased HDL) 4
Duration of Effects
- Anabolic improvements in lean body mass and muscle strength tend to be lost within 12 weeks after discontinuing oxandrolone 5
- However, reductions in fat mass may be sustained even after discontinuation 5
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor liver function tests regularly due to potential hepatic effects 4
- Assess lipid profiles before and during treatment due to unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels 4
- In women, monitor for signs of virilization and consider dose reduction if these occur 6
Oxandrolone should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose that achieves the desired clinical response while minimizing adverse effects. The wide dosage range (2.5-20 mg daily) allows for individualization based on clinical indication, patient response, and tolerance of side effects.