Andarine: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Andarine is an investigational drug that has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is part of a class of drugs called selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). Some supplement companies have included andarine in products for bodybuilding. The FDA considers supplements containing andarine to be illegal.

People use andarine to improve athletic performance and for conditions such as involuntary weight loss in people who are very ill (cachexia or wasting syndrome), osteoporosis, and prostate health, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using andarine can also be unsafe.

Andarine attaches to proteins in the body known as androgen receptors. When andarine binds to these receptors, it tells the muscles and bones in the body to grow. Unlike some other chemicals that bind to androgen receptors, such as steroids, andarine doesn't seem to cause as many side effects in other parts of the body.

How does it work ?

Andarine attaches to proteins in the body known as androgen receptors. When andarine binds to these receptors, it tells the muscles and bones in the body to grow. Unlike some other chemicals that bind to androgen receptors, such as steroids, andarine doesn't seem to cause as many side effects in other parts of the body.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia).
Athletic performance.
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
Involuntary weight loss in people who are very ill (cachexia or wasting syndrome).
Osteoporosis.
Prostate cancer.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate andarine for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Andarine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Liver damage, heart attack, and stroke have been reported in some people taking drugs like andarine.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Andarine is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Liver damage, heart attack, and stroke have been reported in some people taking drugs like andarine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if andarine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Andarine overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of andarine depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for andarine. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) - A Prohibited Class of Anabolic Agents. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, November 18, 2015. https://www.usada.org/selective-androgen-receptor-modulators-sarms-prohibited-class-anabolic-agencts/. Accessed: August 30, 2017.

Van Wagoner RM, Eichner A, Bhasin S, Deuster PA, Eichner D. Chemical composition and labeling of substances marketed as selective androgen receptor modulators and sold via the internet. JAMA 2017;318(20):2004-10.

FDA. FDA Warns against using SARMs in body building products. October 2017. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/fdainbrief/ucm583021.htm.

WADA. What is prohibited. 2019 list of prohibited substances and methods. Available at: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/content/what-is-prohibited/.

Grata E, Perrenoud L, Saugy M, Baume N. SARM-S4 and metabolites detection in sports drug testing: a case report. Forensic Sci Int. 2011;213(1-3):104-8.

Kearbey JD, Gao W, Narayanan R, et al. Selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) treatment prevents bone loss and reduces body fat in ovariectomized rats. Pharm Res. 2007;24(2):328-35.

Gao W, Reiser PJ, Coss CC, et al. Selective androgen receptor modulator treatment improves muscle strength and body composition and prevents bone loss in orchidectomized rats. Endocrinology. 2005;146(11):4887-97.

Kearbey JD, Wu D, Gao W, Miller DD, Dalton JT. Pharmacokinetics of S-3-(4-acetylamino-phenoxy)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(4-nitro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionamide in rats, a non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator. Xenobiotica. 2004;34(3):273-80.

Yin D, Gao W, Kearbey JD, et al. Pharmacodynamics of selective androgen receptor modulators. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003;304(3):1334-40.

Garg N, Hansson A, Knych HK, et al. Structural elucidation of major selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) metabolites for doping control. Org Biomol Chem. 2018;16(5):698-702.

Thevis M, Geyer H, Kamber M, Schänzer W. Detection of the arylpropionamide-derived selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) S-4 (Andarine) in a black-market product. Drug Test Anal. 2009;1(8):387-92.

2019-20 NCAA Banned Drugs List. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). https://www.ncaa.org/sport-science-institute/topics/2019-20-ncaa-banned-substances. Accessed: August 22, 2019

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.