Oxymetholone: features of action, dosages, and administration schemes

Author: Nikita Shilkin - Candidate for Master of Sports in Powerlifting and gym trainer.
2014-04-18

Important! We do not advocate for the use of steroids and other potent substances. All information is provided so that those who still decide to take them can do so with minimal health risks.

Oxymetholone (Anapolon, Androlic) is an oral steroid, 17-alpha alkylated. It is a powerful anabolic agent. It is intended for the treatment of dystrophy, increasing survival and weight in patients with cancer, radiation sickness, and those infected with HIV. In sports, it is used for gaining strength and muscle mass, as well as for treating injuries.

Features

Oxymetholone can rapidly increase weight, up to 15 kilograms per cycle. However, not all of this will be muscle mass. Anapolon affects progesterone and estrogen receptors, leading to significant water retention and increased fat in the body. It also enhances collagen synthesis in joints and ligaments, which, combined with water retention, improves the functionality of the entire musculoskeletal system.

Maintaining the results gained with Anapolon is extremely challenging. Sometimes, a drop-off occurs even with a simple transition to a lighter pharmaceutical support, not to mention a complete cessation of steroid use.

Dosages

Anapolon is available in tablet form, with a dosage of 50 mg per tablet.

Typically, doses ranging from 50 to 200 mg per day are used, divided into 2-3 doses (with a half-life of 7 to 15 hours).

Surprisingly, the therapeutic dosage of Anapolon is much higher than the sports dosage, ranging from 1-5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day! Following this recommendation, an athlete weighing 100 kg would need to take up to 500 mg of this anabolic (10 tablets!) per day. However, even the most intense "chemists" never take that much. There are reports that at dosages of 300 mg or more per day, water retention is significantly lower, and the drug exhibits strong fat-burning qualities. However, caution should be exercised with such dosages, as there are much better-suited agents for cutting.

Women should limit their intake to 50 mg of Anapolon per day and not exceed a duration of 8 weeks for the cycle.

Side Effects

The main side effect of Anapolon is significant water retention, which consequently increases blood pressure. Other common side effects include hostility and irritability (similar to PMS in women). Oxymetholone can cause a decrease in appetite and even nausea. When taking this steroid, the production of natural testosterone is heavily suppressed. Additionally, Anapolon has the property of reducing cell sensitivity to insulin, so it is not recommended for people prone to diabetes.

It is also important to remember that oxymetholone is 17-alpha alkylated, meaning it is toxic to the liver. Therefore, if you are using Anapolon in significant dosages or if your cycle lasts longer than 8 weeks, a special liver support therapy is essential to keep your liver in good condition.

Overall, comparing Anapolon to other substances, it is evident that it is one of the weaker drugs in sports, with its effectiveness only achieved through high dosages. For example, 150 mg of Anapolon per day has an anabolic effect (gaining dry muscle mass) and liver toxicity roughly equivalent to 50 mg of methandienone per day. Thus, oxymetholone is weaker than methandienone by a factor of three.

Combination and Administration Schemes

Oxymetholone is used only for strength and mass training. It does not significantly interact with androgen receptors. Therefore, its combinations with highly androgenic substances, primarily testosterone, due to its tendency to aromatize, are effective.

Solo Cycle of Oxymetholone

A solo cycle of oxymetholone for those wanting to use it for the first time. The dosage is gradually increased to the maximum and then similarly decreased. The latter is necessary to ensure better recovery post-cycle. Oxymetholone is not a substance for beginners; this cycle is better suited for athletes with at least one year of experience using chemistry.

Oxymetholone with Testosterone Cycle for Mass and Strength Gain

Combining Anapolon with testosterone increases the androgenic activity of the former, enhancing the effectiveness of the cycle for both strength and muscle mass gains. Hereinafter, testosterone enanthate should be injected once a week, meaning the entire weekly dose is administered at one time.

Oxymetholone with Testosterone (Option 2)

A slightly more powerful variation of the previous cycle. After the sixth week, oxymetholone is replaced with Turinabol, and dosages are gradually decreased. This will lead to significantly less fat and water retention at the end of the cycle, thus reducing the drop-off during PCT (post-cycle therapy).

Mass and Strength Cycle for Athletes of Not Lower Than Master of Sports Level

This cycle is designed for gaining muscle mass and strength for high-level athletes (Master of Sports and above). Boldenone in this scheme is necessary for improving the quality of gained muscle mass and for enhancing appetite. Proviron will help prevent water retention and other side effects from testosterone.

Cycle for Preparing a Professional Bodybuilder for Competitions

The final cycle is an example of an AAS regimen for preparing a professional bodybuilder for competitions. The cycle consists of two periods: mass gain (from weeks 1 to 8) and cutting (from weeks 9 to 16). Competitions will take place on week 16.