Ostarine (MK-2866 / Enobosarm) vs S-23

Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.

Ostarine (MK-2866 / Enobosarm)S-23
CategorySARMsSARMs
Standard DoseResearch indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 2 clinical trials used 1-3 mg/day with significant lean mass gains.Research indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. No human clinical trials — dosing extrapolated from rat pharmacology and anecdotal reports.
TimingOnce daily, morning or evening. Consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24 hours. No food timing requirements.Split into 2 daily doses due to relatively short half-life (~12 hours). Morning and evening dosing.
Cycle Duration8-12 week cycles. PCT may be required depending on suppression level and cycle length.8 week cycles maximum recommended. PCT is absolutely mandatory due to profound HPG suppression. Allow full recovery before considering subsequent cycles.
Evidence Levelmoderate_humananimal_plus_anecdotal

Mechanism

Ostarine (enobosarm/GTx-024) is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator that binds the androgen receptor with high affinity, inducing a conformational change that recruits coactivator proteins preferentially in muscle and bone tissue over prostate and seminal vesicles. This tissue selectivity arises from differential AR cofactor recruitment and 5-alpha reductase metabolism. Ostarine promotes lean body mass by activating AR-mediated transcription of anabolic genes (MYC, IGF-1) in myocytes while minimizing androgenic effects in reproductive tissues. It has demonstrated dose-dependent increases in lean mass in Phase 2 trials.

Standard Dosing

Research indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. Phase 2 clinical trials used 1-3 mg/day with significant lean mass gains.

Timing

Once daily, morning or evening. Consistent timing. Half-life approximately 24 hours. No food timing requirements.

Cycle Duration

8-12 week cycles. PCT may be required depending on suppression level and cycle length.

Side Effects

  • Testosterone suppression (dose and duration dependent — mild to moderate)
  • Elevated liver enzymes (hepatotoxicity reports)
  • HDL suppression
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Back pain
  • Joint dryness (from estradiol reduction secondary to testosterone suppression)

Contraindications

  • Androgen-sensitive cancers (prostate, breast)
  • Pre-existing liver disease
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Individuals under 21 (potential endocrine development disruption)
  • Athletes subject to WADA testing (prohibited substance)

Best Stacking Partners

Cardarine GW-501516 (endurance complement without androgenic suppression)MK-677 (GH secretagogue for recovery and sleep)NAC / TUDCA (liver support)
B

S-23

SARMs

Mechanism

S-23 is one of the most potent nonsteroidal SARMs developed, originally investigated by GTx, Inc. as a potential male hormonal contraceptive. It binds the androgen receptor with very high affinity, producing near-steroidal anabolic effects in muscle and bone while profoundly suppressing FSH and LH, leading to oligospermia and azoospermia in animal models. S-23 increases lean body mass and bone mineral density while reducing fat mass in a dose-dependent manner. The contraceptive effect was fully reversible in rat studies — spermatogenesis and fertility recovered completely after a 100-day washout period.

Standard Dosing

Research indicates 10-25 mg daily orally for 8-12 weeks. No human clinical trials — dosing extrapolated from rat pharmacology and anecdotal reports.

Timing

Split into 2 daily doses due to relatively short half-life (~12 hours). Morning and evening dosing.

Cycle Duration

8 week cycles maximum recommended. PCT is absolutely mandatory due to profound HPG suppression. Allow full recovery before considering subsequent cycles.

Side Effects

  • Profound testosterone suppression (near-complete LH/FSH shutdown)
  • Temporary infertility / azoospermia
  • Aggression and mood changes (reported frequently)
  • Hair loss (strong androgenic binding)
  • Testicular atrophy
  • Night sweats
  • Prostate effects (despite selectivity claims, S-23 had some prostate stimulation in rats)
  • HDL suppression

Contraindications

  • Desire for fertility in the near term (profound spermatogenic suppression)
  • Pre-existing liver disease
  • Androgen-sensitive cancers
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Individuals under 21

Best Stacking Partners

hCG (to maintain testicular function during the profound suppression)MK-677 (non-suppressive GH elevation)NAC / TUDCA (liver support)Enclomiphene (PCT)

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