Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Oxandrolone (Anavar) | Prasterone (DHEA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Hormones | Hormones |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 5-20 mg/day orally for therapeutic/recovery applications. Clinical burn protocols use 0.1 mg/kg twice daily. | — |
| Timing | Split into 2 doses (morning and evening) due to 9-hour half-life. Take with food to reduce GI discomfort. | — |
| Cycle Duration | Typical therapeutic cycles: 6-12 weeks. Clinical burn protocols have extended to 1 year+ with liver monitoring. Limit cycle length to minimize hepatic stress. | — |
| Evidence Level | strong_human | Moderate |
Oxandrolone is a synthetic 17-alpha-alkylated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) derivative with a modified A-ring (replacement of C2 with an oxygen atom) that confers high anabolic-to-androgenic ratio (~10:1). It enhances protein synthesis by activating the androgen receptor while strongly binding sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), increasing free testosterone fraction. Oxandrolone directly stimulates phosphocreatine synthesis in skeletal muscle and has demonstrated anti-catabolic effects through cortisol receptor antagonism. In burn patients, it reverses catabolism by restoring the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 axis.
Research indicates 5-20 mg/day orally for therapeutic/recovery applications. Clinical burn protocols use 0.1 mg/kg twice daily.
Split into 2 doses (morning and evening) due to 9-hour half-life. Take with food to reduce GI discomfort.
Typical therapeutic cycles: 6-12 weeks. Clinical burn protocols have extended to 1 year+ with liver monitoring. Limit cycle length to minimize hepatic stress.
Adrenal steroid precursor that can increase downstream androgenic and estrogenic metabolites depending on individual enzyme activity.
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