Anadrol (Oxymetholone) and Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) are two of the most effective muscle-building steroids, and they are also very similar. However, there are some notable differences that we will cover in this article.
Anadrol: Pros and Cons
Pros:
Increased intensity of training
Significant increase in muscle mass
Hypertrophy of the trapezius and deltoid muscles
Feeling of muscle expansion
Cons:
Very high blood pressure
Extremely liver toxicity
Hair loss is common
Acne is common
Can suppress appetite
Water storage
Dbol: Pros and Cons
Pros:
Huge strength gains
Significant increase in muscle mass
Unlikely to experience hair loss
Feeling of muscle expansion
Cons:
High blood pressure
Liver toxicity
Water storage
Not suitable for women
Similarities
Muscle size and weight gain
We have seen that both Anadrol and Dianabol cause users to gain weight, approximately 20-30 pounds in those who are new to these compounds. Approximately 30% of the weight gain will be in the form of water, so this is temporary. We have found that if the person continues to lift weights, most of the remaining muscle tissue is retained after the cycle.
Strength
Both steroids will result in significant increases in strength; however, in our experience, Anadrol is superior in this regard as it is a DHT (dihydrotestosterone) derivative – a potent androgen.
Anadrol and Dianabol can add 30-50+lbs of strength to the user, with Anadrol being on the high end of this range and Dianabol being on the low end.
Feeling of congestion
Both anabolic steroids increase intracellular water retention and glycogen, which can enhance the feeling of congestion during training.
During a workout, this can even be a disadvantage as congestion can become painful. Some of our patients have reported excessive congestion in their deadlifts and lower back, causing them to stop their workouts. To prevent this, users can rest longer between sets and take potassium and taurine supplements.
Hypertension
Anadol and Dianabol will significantly increase blood pressure as they are both c-17 alpha-alkylated compounds, thus stimulating hepatic lipase, a liver enzyme that has adverse effects on HDL and LDL cholesterol.
Similarly, they are both estrogenic steroids, which cause the body to retain water. We find this problematic from a cardiac perspective, as water retention causes the blood to become more viscous, effectively impeding blood flow to vital organs.
Hepatotoxicity
Both are oral steroids, and therefore hepatotoxic steroids, causing inflammation and liver damage.
We often see ALT and AST markers rise significantly during a cycle, but usually fall back to normal levels after the cycle. However, taking large doses or cycles that are too long can increase the risk of liver damage.
Both can cause gynecomastia
Dianabol has the presence of aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen, and can cause gynecomastia in users.
Anadrol is also an estrogen, albeit with a different chemical structure. It does not aromatize; however, it does directly stimulate estrogen receptors.
AIs (aromatase inhibitors) are effective in preventing gynecomastia on Dianabol, but are ineffective on Anadrol. Instead, a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) such as Nolvadex should be used on Anadrol to directly inhibit estrogen effects in the breast.
Differences between the two
Trapezius and deltoid enhancement
We generally see greater muscle growth in the trapezius and deltoids with Anadrol, as both of these muscle groups possess more androgen receptors.
Therefore, with Anadrol being more androgenic than Dianabol, those muscles are more likely to explode.
Severity of Side Effects
Anadrol generally causes more severe side effects than Dianabol, causing elevations in blood pressure and liver enzymes.
This is most likely due to the much higher doses Anadrol is taken in compared to Dianabol. The typical dose for Anadrol is 50-100 mg/day, while Dianabol’s is 20-40 mg/day.
Thus, Dianabol is actually the more potent steroid milligram for milligram, but since Anadrol is generally taken in higher doses, in our experience, the side effects can be more bothersome.
Anadrol can also cause acne vulgaris and accelerate male pattern baldness due to elevated DHT.
We have seen some beginners take Dbol and come out relatively unscathed. However, we have treated other beginners who used Anadrol as their first cycle and experienced significant liver and heart damage as a result.
Appetite
Anadrol can suppress appetite, which is indicative of its destructive properties in the liver.
When the liver becomes stressed, the body, as a self-defense mechanism, can reduce hunger in order to reduce the workload of this organ.
However, due to the lower hepatotoxicity of Dianabol, users often experience the opposite effect, which is an increased appetite.
Users typically take Anadrol or Dianabol for muscle-building purposes, where a caloric surplus can supplement their gains. Therefore, a stimulated appetite is advantageous.
Fat Loss
All anabolic steroids burn subcutaneous fat, as they are both forms of exogenous testosterone, a fat-burning hormone.
However, we found that Anadrol burned slightly more subcutaneous fat than Dianabol, as it is more androgenic, and the AR (androgen receptor) plays a vital role in the atrophy of adipose tissue.
For some users, this more pronounced fat-burning effect of Anadrol may not be noticeable, especially since it can be disguised by water retention.
In addition, users typically consume a caloric surplus when taking either steroid; therefore, fat accumulation is common in their diet. In this case, Anadrol will do a better job of reducing fat gain when eating generously.
Due to its fat burning properties and muscle filling abilities, we see Anadrol often used as a fat loss steroid, especially among male physique competitors. To avoid water retention, they often lower their sodium intake, as the combination of estrogen and moderate amounts of sodium is responsible for the extracellular water distribution.
Suitable for Women
Dianabol is a steroid that we have found to cause masculinization in women, leading to hypertrophy and a deepening of the voice.
In our experience, however, Anadrol is very well tolerated by women. The reason for this may have to do with Anadrol’s low affinity when binding to SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin). High levels of SHBG can cause masculinization in women, as their testosterone becomes free or more active.
Winstrol is a good example of a steroid that has a high affinity when binding to SHBG, and therefore causes a higher rate of masculinization in women.
Anadrol vs Dbol: Which is the Better Steroid?
The answer to this question depends on the goals the user is looking to achieve. For example, if a guy wants to make his deltoids and triceps more visible, Anadrol is the best choice.
However, if someone wants to keep his hair as thick as possible, Dianabol is a better choice due to its reduced androgenicity.
In general, Dianabol remains the more popular steroid among many men because it can match the anabolic properties of Anadrol but with less severe side effects.
For women, Anadrol is the only suitable choice of the two.
This is largely a battle of Anadrol vs. Dbol, rather than being able to put them together. This is because in our tests, liver and cholesterol values rose to dangerously high levels when both were taken together.