Updated October 20, 2026.
Anavar is a former brand name for oxandrolone, an oral anabolic steroid. The United States no longer has an FDA-approved, commercially manufactured oxandrolone tablet. At Alpha Hormones®, our physicians may prescribe oxandrolone for select adult patients as a compounded medication dispensed by a licensed compounding pharmacy, and only after an individualized medical evaluation.
What changed in the United States?
FDA withdrew approval of Oxandrin (brand oxandrolone) in June 2023, and later determined that the manufacturers withdrew the tablets, along with the generic versions, for reasons of safety or effectiveness. The agency’s review cited liver problems and adverse cholesterol changes. Read the FDA determination in the Federal Register.
Because no company currently markets an FDA-approved oxandrolone product, oxandrolone is available only as a compounded preparation. A licensed compounding pharmacy prepares it for an individual patient based on a prescription.
What “compounded” means
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. FDA has not evaluated them for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
- A licensed pharmacy prepares them for a specific patient, under a prescription from a licensed provider.
- In addition, oxandrolone is a Schedule III controlled substance and requires a prescription and ongoing medical supervision.
Oxandrolone is not a replacement for TRT
Oxandrolone does not correct a diagnosed testosterone deficiency. When physicians consider it, they typically discuss it as an add-on for specific goals, such as helping preserve lean muscle during a medically supervised weight-loss plan, alongside appropriate testosterone management. However, evidence for these uses is limited, and results vary from person to person.
Risks to understand
- Liver stress or injury, which requires lab monitoring
- Lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol and other lipid changes that may affect heart health
- Suppression of your body’s own testosterone production and possible effects on fertility
- Fluid retention, blood pressure changes, acne, and mood changes
- Interactions with other medications, including blood thinners
Oxandrolone is not appropriate for everyone. Physicians generally avoid it in people with liver disease, certain cancers (such as prostate or breast cancer), significant heart disease, uncontrolled high cholesterol, or pregnancy.
How we approach it at Alpha Hormones®
- Evaluation first. We review your symptoms, goals, history, medications, and labs, including liver function and lipids.
- Individualized decision. Your provider discusses whether oxandrolone is reasonable for you, the expected benefits and risks, and the alternatives.
- Short, monitored courses. If your physician prescribes it, a licensed compounding pharmacy dispenses it, and you will have follow-up labs and check-ins.
Fatigue, low desire, or changes in strength can have several causes. Our testosterone evaluation guide explains the diagnostic process, fertility considerations, and monitoring.
Questions to bring to your appointment
- What goal would oxandrolone address for me, and what evidence supports it?
- What labs will we check before and during treatment?
- How long would a course last, and what are the alternatives?
- How could it affect my natural testosterone and fertility?
Book an appointment or call (213) 334-4111 to discuss whether this is right for you.
A licensed compounding pharmacy prepares compounded oxandrolone for an individual patient, and it is not FDA-approved; FDA has not evaluated it for safety or effectiveness. Prescription only, after a medical evaluation in Pasadena or by telehealth in California, Texas and Florida. Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice.
