Oral anabolic steroid comparison
Anadrol vs Dianabol: Medical Facts and Health Risks
Anadrol and Dianabol are not interchangeable. Anadrol is linked to oxymetholone, an oral anabolic androgenic steroid with an archived United States label for selected anemias. Dianabol refers to methandrostenolone, also called methandienone. FDA withdrew two United States tablet approvals effective January 13, 1986. For bodybuilding or performance use, neither is an evidence based or safe choice. 1 2
Primary comparison
Anadrol and Dianabol Are Different Drugs, Not Better and Worse Versions of One Drug
A responsible comparison begins with identity, medical record, evidence quality and risk. It does not rank nonmedical results or turn a controlled substance into a recommended choice.
| Criterion | Anadrol | Dianabol | What the comparison means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active drug | Oxymetholone | Methandrostenolone, also called methandienone or metandienone | Brand names do not identify the same substance. |
| Drug class | Oral anabolic androgenic steroid | Oral anabolic androgenic steroid | The shared class creates overlapping risks, not identical effects. |
| United States medical record | An archived label lists selected anemias caused by deficient red cell production. The listed marketing end date is February 28, 2021. 1 | FDA withdrew approval of two methandrostenolone tablet applications effective January 13, 1986. 2 | Historical medical records are different and cannot be used as bodybuilding endorsements. |
| Athletic claims | The archived label states that anabolic steroids had not been shown to enhance athletic ability. 1 | The cited FDA withdrawal was based on a lack of substantial evidence for the labeled effects of the products. 2 | Official records do not establish a head to head winner for nonmedical performance use. |
| Liver concern | The archived label warns about cholestatic hepatitis, jaundice, blood filled liver cysts and liver tumors. 1 | Methandienone is included in the androgenic steroid class reviewed by LiverTox for liver injury. 6 | No oral anabolic steroid should be described as liver safe. |
| Heart, blood vessels and fluid | The archived label reports adverse lipid changes, edema and electrolyte retention. 1 | Class sources link anabolic steroid misuse with high blood pressure, cholesterol changes, heart attack and stroke. 3 4 | Visible water change does not measure cardiovascular safety. |
| Hormones and fertility | Anabolic steroid exposure can suppress reproductive signaling and is associated with reduced sperm count, testicular shrinkage, menstrual changes, infertility and virilization. 1 4 | Neither drug avoids class wide hormonal effects. | |
| United States federal status | DEA names oxymetholone and methandrostenolone as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are controlled in Schedule III. 3 | Possession, prescribing and distribution are controlled by law. State rules may differ. | |
| Sport status | The World Anti-Doping Agency 2026 list prohibits anabolic agents in category S1 at all times. 8 | Athletes should check current sport and medication rules. | |
| Bottom line | Neither is recommended here for bodybuilding, appearance or performance. | The useful decision is medical care versus nonmedical risk, not which drug wins. | |
The matrix compares documented identity, regulation and risk. It does not provide amounts, schedules, cycle lengths, combinations, suppliers or recovery drug plans.
Name and entity check
What Anadrol and Dianabol Mean
Anadrol is a proprietary name associated with oxymetholone. The archived United States label describes oxymetholone as a potent anabolic and androgenic drug supplied as an oral tablet. 1
Dianabol is a proprietary name associated with methandrostenolone. The active drug is also called methandienone or metandienone in scientific databases. PubChem identifies it as an orally active anabolic androgenic steroid. 7
Oxymetholone
Archived prescription history for selected anemias, with major hepatic, lipid, fluid and hormonal warnings.
Methandrostenolone
Former United States tablet approvals were withdrawn, and current nonmedical products may not match historic medicines.
Regulatory and medical context
Medical Use Does Not Transfer to Bodybuilding Use
A medical indication is tied to a diagnosed condition, a known pharmaceutical product, a clinician’s decision, current prescribing information, patient specific contraindications and follow up testing. Removing those conditions changes the evidence and risk context.
The archived oxymetholone label concerns selected anemias caused by deficient red cell production. It does not authorize use for appearance, strength or athletic performance, and it states that anabolic steroids had not been shown to enhance athletic ability. 1
The 1985 Federal Register notice states that FDA was withdrawing approval of two methandrostenolone tablet applications because there was a lack of substantial evidence for the effects represented in their labeling. The withdrawal became effective on January 13, 1986. 2
Identify the population
A study in patients with a diagnosed blood disorder does not automatically apply to healthy people seeking appearance or performance changes.
Identify the product and outcome
A known medicine and a measured clinical outcome are different from an unverified product and a claim about muscle gain.
Check monitoring and limits
Medical follow up may detect some harm. It does not make nonmedical use safe or turn an unsupported comparison into a treatment choice.
Claim audit
Why Claims About Faster Mass or Cleaner Gains Are Weak Evidence
Bodybuilding comparisons often treat several different measurements as though they all prove new muscle tissue. They do not.
| Common claim | What may actually change | What cannot be concluded |
|---|---|---|
| More body weight | Muscle tissue, body water, glycogen, food mass and fat mass can all affect the scale. | A larger scale increase does not prove a larger increase in lasting muscle tissue. |
| Fuller appearance | Fluid and glycogen can change how muscle looks and how clothing fits. | Appearance does not measure liver, heart, blood pressure or hormone risk. |
| More strength | Training, body mass, skill, recovery, motivation and drug exposure can affect performance. | A performance change does not establish safety or long term health benefit. |
| Less visible bloating | Visible fluid change varies between people and products. | Less visible fluid does not prove lower liver, lipid or fertility risk. |
| Kept gains | Post use measurements depend on timing, training, diet, natural hormone recovery and the outcome measured. | A testimonial cannot separate durable tissue change from water change or reporting bias. |
Multidomain risk review
Shared Health Risks Matter More Than a Winner
DEA and MedlinePlus describe anabolic steroid misuse as a source of cardiovascular, liver, kidney, reproductive, developmental and mental health harm. Oral preparations are a particular liver concern. 3 4
Liver and bile flow
- Cholestatic hepatitis and jaundice
- Blood filled liver cysts
- Liver tumors and internal bleeding
- Abnormal liver tests
Heart, blood vessels and fluid
- High blood pressure
- Adverse cholesterol changes
- Edema and fluid retention
- Heart attack, stroke and blood clot concerns
Hormones and fertility
- Suppressed natural hormone production
- Reduced sperm count and testicular shrinkage
- Menstrual changes and fertility problems
- Gynecomastia and sexual function changes
Mood, dependence and withdrawal
- Irritability, aggression and altered mood
- Cravings and continued use despite harm
- Fatigue, sleep problems and reduced sex drive after stopping
- Depression that can become severe
Women and pregnancy
- Voice deepening and increased body hair
- Menstrual changes
- Some virilizing changes can be irreversible
- Oxymetholone can cause fetal harm
Product identity
- Counterfeit or substituted ingredients
- Unknown strength or contamination
- No reliable label or monitoring record
- Added risk from several products used together
United States law and sport
Anadrol and Dianabol Are Controlled and Prohibited in Sport
DEA identifies oxymetholone and methandrostenolone among anabolic steroids encountered by United States law enforcement. Anabolic steroids are Schedule III controlled substances under federal law. A prescription for one condition does not authorize sharing, resale or nonmedical use. 3
The World Anti-Doping Agency 2026 Prohibited List is in force and places anabolic agents in category S1. That category is prohibited at all times, including in and out of competition. 8
This is general information, not legal advice. State law, professional licensing rules, school policies and sport organization rules can impose separate duties.
Schedule III
Controlled status applies to the anabolic steroid class. Legal access and possession depend on current law and valid medical authority.
Prohibited at all times
Current anti doping rules cover anabolic agents. Athletes remain responsible for checking the current list and any therapeutic use process.
Medical help
What to Tell a Clinician and When to Seek Urgent Care
A clinician can assess symptoms, blood pressure, liver concerns, cardiovascular risk, hormone suppression, fertility concerns, mood changes and other substances or medicines involved.
Bring accurate information
- The exact names written on every package or container
- Photos of labels when the product identity is uncertain
- When use began and when it last occurred
- Other medicines, hormones, supplements, alcohol or drugs involved
- New physical symptoms, sleep changes, sexual symptoms or mood changes
Questions and direct answers
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers explain identity, evidence, risk and regulation. They do not provide personal drug instructions.
What is the main difference between Anadrol and Dianabol?
Anadrol is a brand name linked to oxymetholone. Dianabol is a brand name linked to methandrostenolone, also called methandienone. They are different oral anabolic androgenic steroids with different United States regulatory histories and no medically accepted head to head ranking for bodybuilding.
Which oral steroid should I take, Anadrol or Dianabol?
For bodybuilding or performance use, this page does not recommend either drug. A licensed clinician may select a medicine for a diagnosed condition after reviewing current approvals, alternatives, health history, interactions and monitoring needs.
Is Anadrol safer than Dianabol?
No reliable general safety ranking can be made from the two brand names. Risk depends on the actual substance, product identity, amount, duration, other drugs, existing conditions and individual response. Both belong to a drug class linked with serious liver, cardiovascular, hormonal and mental health effects.
Which is stronger for muscle gain?
The official sources cited on this page do not establish a validated winner for nonmedical muscle gain. Online claims often mix muscle tissue, body water, glycogen, scale weight and short term strength, so they do not provide a sound medical comparison.
Are Anadrol and Dianabol both oral steroids?
Yes. Oxymetholone and methandrostenolone have been supplied as oral tablets. The shared oral route does not make their effects identical and does not remove liver, cardiovascular, hormonal or dependence risks.
Can Anadrol and Dianabol damage the liver?
Yes. Liver injury is a known concern for oral anabolic steroids. The archived oxymetholone label includes warnings about cholestatic hepatitis, jaundice, blood filled liver cysts and liver tumors. LiverTox also places methandienone and oxymetholone in the androgenic steroid class associated with liver injury.
Does Anadrol have a medical use?
The archived United States oxymetholone label lists treatment of selected anemias caused by deficient red cell production. Its marketing record ended in 2021. A historical or prescription use does not establish that nonmedical bodybuilding use is safe.
Is Dianabol approved by the FDA?
FDA withdrew approval of two methandrostenolone tablet applications effective January 13, 1986, after finding a lack of substantial evidence for the effects represented in their labeling. This page does not identify a current FDA approved Dianabol product.
Can Anadrol and Dianabol be taken together?
This page does not provide a combination plan. Taking two anabolic steroids together can add exposure and makes it harder to identify the cause of adverse effects. There is no evidence that combining them removes their major risks.
Do Anadrol and Dianabol cause water retention?
Fluid retention can occur with anabolic steroid use. The archived oxymetholone label specifically reports edema and electrolyte retention. Changes in scale weight or muscle fullness may therefore reflect body water and should not be treated as proof of new muscle tissue.
Do these drugs suppress natural hormone production?
Anabolic androgenic steroids can suppress the body signals that support natural sex hormone production. Possible outcomes include reduced sperm count, testicular shrinkage, menstrual changes, fertility problems and symptoms after stopping.
Are Anadrol and Dianabol controlled substances in the United States?
Yes. The Drug Enforcement Administration identifies oxymetholone and methandrostenolone as anabolic steroids, and anabolic steroids are controlled in Schedule III under United States federal law. State law can add separate requirements.
Are Anadrol and Dianabol banned in sport?
Yes. The World Anti-Doping Agency 2026 Prohibited List places anabolic agents in category S1 and prohibits them at all times. Athletes should check the rules that apply to their sport and any prescribed medicine.
When should someone seek urgent medical help?
Seek urgent care for chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, signs of stroke, severe swelling, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, confusion or extreme agitation. Call 911 for immediate danger. In the United States, call or text 988 for suicidal thoughts or a mental health or substance use crisis.
What should I do if I want to stop using anabolic steroids?
Do not rely on an online comparison to plan withdrawal. Tell a clinician what substances you used, when you last used them, other medicines or products involved and any physical or mood symptoms. Depression after stopping can become severe and needs prompt support.
Related steroid information
Continue With the Relevant Drug or Evidence Page
Use the individual profiles for drug specific identity and medical history. Use the topic pages for broader claim and risk distinctions.
Primary and public health sources
References
Regulatory and health statements were checked against the sources below on 18th July 2026.
- Archived oxymetholone prescribing information. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine. Open source. Archived United States label and marketing record for oxymetholone.
- Withdrawal of approval for methandrostenolone tablets. Federal Register, United States Food and Drug Administration. Open source. FDA notice withdrawing approval of two methandrostenolone tablet applications, effective January 13, 1986.
- Steroids. United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Open source. Drug identities, adverse effects and federal controlled substance information.
- Anabolic Steroids. MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Open source. Medical uses, nonmedical misuse, adverse effects, dependence and withdrawal.
- Caution: Bodybuilding Products Can Be Risky. United States Food and Drug Administration. Open source. Hidden steroid ingredients and serious adverse reactions.
- Androgenic Steroids. LiverTox, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Open source. Liver injury evidence for androgenic anabolic steroids.
- Methandrostenolone compound summary. PubChem, National Library of Medicine. Open source. Identity, synonyms and drug class.
- WADA 2026 Prohibited List is now in force. World Anti-Doping Agency. Open source. Current list status and S1 anabolic agents category.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 988 Lifeline. Open source. Free and confidential United States crisis support.
- Oxymetholone, Fifteenth Report on Carcinogens. National Toxicology Program, NCBI Bookshelf. Open source. Cancer evidence and background on oxymetholone.