What is Andarine (S-4)?

Andarine (S-4) is one of my favorite SARMS in the market. Like all SARMs, Andarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator. It's full name is S-40503, and it quickly became known as S-4, while stronger versions have been dubbed Andarine. Andarine was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company, Kaken Pharmaceuticals, and it was aimed at treating osteoporosis. In our world, andarine has been picked up by bodybuilders and gym rats over the last several years as a way to take their gains to the next level; as a result, it has been banned by tested contests and organized sports. Although some say that andarine is probably the most comparable to steroids such as winstrol or anavar as far as the aesthetic effects on one's physique, it's not a steroid.

Fig 1. Andarine (S4) Chemical Structure

How Does Andarine work?

Andarine binds incredibly well to the androgen receptors of bone and muscle. While it doesn't tend to impress in terms of building pounds upon pounds of muscle like trenbolone will, it has amazing effects on fat loss. Why? Andarine is the least anabolic, yet most androgenic of the SARMS. When androgenic hormones or sarms attach to the androgen receptors in your adipose tissue or fat (yes we have androgen receptors in our fat too) they trigger fat oxidation.

This SARM is selective and shows no noticeable prostate activity. Andarine proved to be poor at building muscle tissue at lower doses, but it did, in fact, build lean hard muscle tissue at higher doses. These tissue gains have often been compared to that of winstrol or anavar, but, of course, without the associated androgenic side effects. Andarine is especially outstanding at strengthening, preserving and even building bone mass.

How can Andarine help me?

Andarine's exceptional ability to help oxidize fat and keep your body from going catabolic while on a low calorie diet is its specialty. It will provide a hard, dry, lean look and increase vascularity. It provides notable strength and endurance even while in caloric deficit, and, at higher doses, it can even add hard muscle to your frame. Any other SARM stacks wonderfully with andarine, and the results will be compounded due to their synergistic effects. A stack of Andarine and ostarine (mk-2866), for example, would provide results arguably comparable to a stack of testosterone and winstrol. Again, SARMS are not steroids, and they provide less androgenic and anabolic effects as actual steroids, but the effects are very similar. Andarine can also be used by itself and provide fantastic results.

What are Andarine's side effects?

Andarine has shown to be only very slightly suppressive at high doses, though not as much as LGD-4033, but more so than ostarine. Its use should be followed immediately by a post cycle therapy regimen. Though a modified mini-pct should be fine for recovery. Use of supplements such as HCGenerate on cycle is more than enough to combat the slight suppression caused by Andarine.

Andarine does not aromatize into estrogen, so no inhibitor will be needed on cycle. Commonly, andarine is a bit notorious for its side effect of binding to the ocular receptors in the eyes causing a faint yellow tint and sometimes difficulty adjusting to darkness. This does not happen to all who have experimented with S-4, it is totally temporary and goes away after use is discontinued. There is a great article discussing Andarine (S-4) side effects I suggest you read.

Dosages and cycles

Andarine is recommended at doses of 50-75mg a day, and has even been tolerated at 100mg, although it is highly recommended to start low and gradually increase dosage to keeps side effects minimal. It has a half-life of 4 hours, so I recommend you dose andarine (s4) at least twice a day, and probably even more ideally 3 timers per day. Optimum length of Andarine cycles are said to be up to 8 weeks long and is not hepatotoxic, so unlike oral steroids and comparable drugs, longer cycles do not cause danger to the liver.

An example Cardarine (GW) and Andarine (S4) Cycle:

Cycle Note: I suggest you really have a feel out process after 50mgs/ED with Andarine and see if your side effects with vision are low or something you don't can't handle. If it's fine, keep going until you hit 70mgs. If not, scale back down to under 50mgs/ED.

Forums

Want to read about Andarine (S4) on our forums? check out these threads:

References

• Detection of the selective androgen receptor modulator andarine (S-4) in a routine equine blood doping control sample
• Detection of the selective androgen receptor modulator S-4 (Andarine) in a doping control sample
• Mass spectrometric characterization of urinary metabolites of the selective androgen receptor modulator andarine (S-4) for routine doping control purposes
• Pharmacodynamics of selective androgen receptor modulators
• Andarine
• Discovery AND Therapeutic Promise OF Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators
• Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Treatment Improves Muscle Strength and Body Composition and Prevents Bone Loss in Orchidectomized Rats