5 Best Anavar Stacks: An Overview of Potential Combinations

Anavar (oxandrolone) is an anabolic steroid that simultaneously builds muscle and reduces fat mass. We have found Anavar to induce fewer toxic effects compared to other anabolic steroids. Both men and women have been known to cycle it.

• The FDA authorized Anavar for the treatment of cachexia, with it increasing anabolism and decreasing toxicity during research (1).
• Nevertheless, it is prohibited in most countries when utilized for cosmetic purposes, such as bodybuilding, due to its status as a controlled substance.

What is the Rationale Behind the Stacking of Anavar by Bodybuilders?

When administered on its own, Anavar can produce substantial outcomes. However, stacking Anavar with other anabolic steroids may enhance a user’s results.

The following are five Anavar stacks that bodybuilders from our clinic have employed, along with their advantages and disadvantages.

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1. Anavar and Testosterone Stack

We have found testosterone to be one of the most well-tolerated anabolic steroids, along with Anavar. Thus, the duo can be a complementary stack, as adverse effects are typically more manageable when administered in therapeutic doses.

Testosterone is an FDA-approved medication (2), which suggests that its side effects may be less severe when taken under the guidance of a qualified physician. Researchers have described testosterone-replacement therapy as “safe” in the context of treating hypogonadism (3). However, supraphysiological dosing can cause cardiotoxicity.

Anavar was also an FDA-approved medicine for the treatment of cachexia. However, in 2023, it was withdrawn from the US market due to safety concerns, specifically relating to potential risks of peliosis hepatis, atherosclerosis, hypercalcemia, and prostatic hypertrophy in patients.

Testosterone can accelerate subcutaneous fat loss and significantly increase muscle hypertrophy and strength.

We have observed muscle gains of approximately 25–30 pounds when moderate doses of testosterone and Anavar are administered to novices.

Due to its mass-building capabilities, testosterone is generally regarded as a bulking steroid. Testosterone may be the most optimal off-season compound due to significant anabolic effects, without high levels of cardiotoxicity.

However, testosterone does aromatize, which is why it is possible to experience transient increases in water weight during cycles. Fluid accumulation can counteract the diuretic effects of Anavar; thus, this stack may not be optimal for a dry and ripped appearance.

Anavar is an oral steroid, whereas testosterone is primarily an injectable steroid. Consequently, an alternative stack may be more appropriate for individuals with trypanophobia who wish to avoid needles.

The inclusion of testosterone in this stack may not be appropriate for women, as it is prone to induce virilization in research (4).

Anavar and Testosterone Beginner Stack

The cycle described above is commonly utilized by beginners who desire to achieve substantial results with fewer side effects. Nevertheless, inexperienced users may encounter complications, particularly when administering high dosages of this stack, such as:

• Raised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
• Increased risk of myocardial infarction.

Disclosure: We do not accept any form of advertising on Inside Bodybuilding. We monetize our practice via doctor consultations and carefully chosen pharmaceutical recommendations, which have given our patients excellent results.

Anavar and Testosterone Stack for Intermediates

Intermediate bodybuilders who have previously used steroids and have adequately tolerated testosterone and Anavar in standalone cycles may administer the aforementioned protocol. The maximal testosterone dosage has been increased from 350 mg to 500 mg/week, and the cycle duration has been extended from 7 to 10 weeks.

These dosages are not considered aggressive by bodybuilding standards. However, it is necessary to conduct routine sphygmomanometry tests due to the likelihood of increased blood pressure.

• If users experience puffiness in their nipples, Nolvadex, a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator), has been beneficial for several of our patients.
• A study concluded that Nolvadex can effectively treat early-onset gynecomastia by inhibiting estrogenic activity in the mammary glands (5).

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2. Anavar and Winstrol Stack

An Anavar and Winstrol stack may be one of the most effective cutting stacks a bodybuilder can utilize to reduce fat. Anavar’s and Winstrol’s effects on body composition are comparable, with both being potent fat burners and muscle builders. However, we have found Winstrol to be the more powerful compound.

Consequently, the results of Winstrol are generally more pronounced than those of Anavar when taken alone, as evidenced by the feedback and results of our patients. However, we have observed that Winstrol triggers more severe adverse effects.

Similar to Anavar, Winstrol does not aromatize. Consequently, striations and muscle definition can become more prominent, as well as vascularity. This is a consequence of the depletion of extracellular water retention, which is the fluid that accumulates between the epidermis and muscle.

• In general, users often supplement with either Anavar or Winstrol rather than stacking them together. Rarely, users may take Winstrol and Anavar simultaneously to enhance muscle growth and fat loss.
• In our experience, cycling Anavar has been less efficacious than stacking it with Winstrol.

Are There Any Adverse Effects?

The two major drawbacks of an Anavar and Winstrol stack are potential fluctuations in AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) liver enzymes, in conjunction with LDL and HDL cholesterol alterations.

Anavar and Winstrol Stack for Men

We find the following stack is not typically utilized by women due to high incidences of virilization caused by Winstrol.

Only intermediate or advanced users typically take the above stack due to Winstrol’s potential harsh effects. We have observed this duo produce notable fat loss and moderate increases in lean muscle mass, ranging from 10 to 20 pounds.

Anavar and Winstrol Stack for Women

The only instance we have seen women avoid masculinization with this stack is by microdosing Winstrol. The addition of Winstrol in this stack can amplify overall anabolism and lipolysis.

However, masculinization can be a common occurrence if a female increases the Winstrol dose or extends this cycle beyond six weeks.

3. Anavar and Clenbuterol Stack

Clenbuterol is a β2-adrenoceptor agonist, not a steroid. However, due to its potent fat-burning effects, bodybuilders commonly supplement with it as a cutting agent, stacking it with Anavar.

A primary concern when combining multiple anabolic steroids is the exacerbation of adverse effects in comparison to the use of a single steroid. Therefore, users can experience:

• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hypertransaminasemia
• Hypogonadism
• Gynecomastia

However, clenbuterol is unlikely to replicate the majority of adverse effects associated with anabolic steroids, and consequently, it is a stacking option for some men and women.

However, clenbuterol can pose risks, such as potential cardiotoxicity and alterations to the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.

Anecdotally, we have observed that clenbuterol does not significantly increase muscle mass; therefore, bodybuilders typically administer it for fat loss.

Is Clenbuterol Cardiotoxic?

A notable side effect we have experienced with clenbuterol is the excessive stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS), which can potentially result in an abnormally rapid heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias.

Anavar and Clenbuterol Stack for Men

Anavar and Clenbuterol Stack for Women

4. Anavar and Trenbolone Stack

Anavar and trenbolone are anabolic steroids that are vastly dissimilar; however, they are occasionally stacked together during cutting cycles.

Novices commonly take Anavar, an oral compound, due to its reduced toxicity compared to other steroids. Whereas, trenbolone is a severely toxic injectable, mostly administered by advanced steroid users.

In terms of body composition, Anavar and trenbolone share comparable characteristics, including:

• Building lean muscle
• Burning fat
• Diuretic effects

What Are the Potential Complications of Trenbolone?

Trenbolone is an extremely potent compound, and as a result, the anabolism of this stack is considerably stronger than an Anavar-only cycle. The less toxic nature of Anavar is almost certainly diminished by the introduction of trenbolone in this stack.

• Users can experience HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis) dysfunction from trenbolone use. Consequently, testosterone deficiency may last for several months.
• Trenbolone can also raise LDL cholesterol levels, notably increasing the risk of hypertension.
• Due to the potential for trenbolone to trigger virilization, women do not commonly use this stack.

5. Anavar and Dianabol Stack

Dianabol and Anavar stacked together may appear as an unusual combination to some bodybuilders, as Anavar is often regarded as a cutting steroid with diuretic effects, and Dianabol is often perceived as a bulking steroid that promotes water retention. Dianabol can also increase visceral fat storage, while Anavar decreases it. However, we have observed this unconventional stack to be an effective bulking protocol, with Dianabol increasing muscle mass and Anavar simultaneously decreasing fat accumulation.

Additionally, Anavar can potentially reduce edema that Dianabol may cause due to excess extracellular fluid.

Thus, Anavar can provide a more aesthetically pleasing bulking experience when stacked with Dianabol, albeit at the potential cost of further:

• Cholesterol alterations
• Hepatotoxicity
• Testosterone suppression

Anavar and Dianabol are both oral compounds. It is advisable for users to exercise caution when purchasing Anavar products, as they can be replaced with methandrostenolone (Dianabol), with this being a common scam on the black market due to the high cost of oxandrolone production.

If counterfeiters substitute Anavar with Dianabol, diuretic effects or reductions in visceral fat mass are unlikely to occur.

Dianabol’s high propensity to induce masculinization makes this stack potentially undesirable for females.

Will Dianabol Increase Toxicity?

When implementing the Dianabol and Anavar cycle above, it is important to regularly monitor ALT and AST liver enzymes, as both compounds are C-17 alpha-alkylated. In our experience, orals are more likely to result in hepatic injury.

In order to reduce the effects of gynecomastia, a SERM such as Nolvadex may be utilized on-cycle when the nipples begin to swell.

Summary: Which Anavar Stack is the Most Advantageous?

• The five compounds mentioned in this article are the most common Anavar stacks utilized by bodybuilders at our clinic.
• Women may have fewer Anavar stacking options; however, combining Anavar with clenbuterol or Winstrol can be advantageous for reduced fat mass.
• We find microdosing with Winstrol to be necessary among women to avoid virilization side effects.

There are more options for men when stacking Anavar, with the most common combinations being:

• Anavar and testosterone
• Anavar and Winstrol
• Anavar and clenbuterol

Anavar and testosterone stacks promote lean mass, while Anavar and clenbuterol stacks prioritize fat loss.

Which Anavar Stacks Present the Most Risks?

Some of our patients have cycled other anabolic steroids with Anavar, such as trenbolone, Dianabol, and Anadrol. However, we commonly observe unfavorable outcomes from such compounds due to their damaging effects on the heart and liver.

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