If you’re debating between Dianabol (Dbol) and Anadrol (Oxymetholone) for your next cycle, here’s the truth upfront:
👉 Dianabol is the safer, beginner-friendly option for solid bulking, while Anadrol delivers the most aggressive size and strength gains but comes with heavier side effects.
Both are powerful oral steroids, but which one you choose depends on your goals, tolerance, and cycle plan.
🔬 Quick Compound Breakdown
Steroid | Chemical Name | Half-Life | Primary Goal | Strength Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dianabol | Methandrostenolone | 4–6 hours | Muscle mass, strength | Strong |
Anadrol | Oxymetholone | 8–9 hours | Extreme size, power | Very Strong |
📌 Takeaway: Dbol = balanced bulking. Anadrol = maximum size in minimum time.
⚡ Bulking Power & Muscle Growth
Category | Dianabol | Anadrol |
---|---|---|
Weight Gain (4–6 weeks) | +10–15 lbs | +15–25 lbs |
Strength Boost | Solid, steady | Explosive |
Quality of Gains | Puffy but easier to control | Massive but watery |
Recovery | Good | Excellent |
💡 Many athletes note that Anadrol adds more water retention, while Dbol’s gains are easier to maintain post-cycle.
💊 Dosage & Cycle Duration
Dianabol
- 20–30 mg/day for beginners
- 30–50 mg/day for intermediates
- Run for 4–6 weeks max

Anadrol
- 25–50 mg/day starting dose
- Advanced users: up to 75 mg/day (risky for liver & BP)
- Run for 3–5 weeks only
⚠️ Both compounds are hepatotoxic — always add liver support (TUDCA, NAC, Milk Thistle).

🔄 Popular Stacking Options
Goal | Dianabol Stack | Anadrol Stack |
---|---|---|
Classic Bulk | Testosterone Enanthate + Dbol | Testosterone Enanthate + Anadrol |
Strength Focus | Test + Deca + Dbol | Test + Tren + Anadrol |
Leaner Gains | Test + Equipoise + Low-Dose Dbol | Test + Masteron + Short Anadrol |
👉 Many advanced users run Dbol at the start of a cycle (“kickstart”) and later swap to Anadrol for maximum impact.
⚖️ Side Effect Showdown
Side Effect | Dianabol | Anadrol |
---|---|---|
Water Retention | High | Extreme |
Estrogen-Related | Yes (aromatization) | Indirect (progestin) |
Liver Toxicity | Strong | Very Strong |
Blood Pressure | Moderate | High |
Appetite | Increased | Can decrease |
🏋️ Real User Stories
- Dbol user:
“Ran 30 mg/day for 5 weeks with Test E. Strength went up fast, gained 13 lbs. Puffy look but manageable. Mild gyno controlled with AI.” - Anadrol user:
“50 mg/day for 4 weeks with Test + Deca. Gained 20 lbs, insane pumps, but BP shot up and headaches were rough. Appetite dropped after week 3.”
📚 Scientific Support
- Methandrostenolone (Dianabol): Demonstrated increased protein synthesis and nitrogen balance (Endocrinology Journal, 1960s).
- Oxymetholone (Anadrol): Proven to boost red blood cell count and muscle mass in anemia patients (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics).
- Both recognized by WADA as prohibited anabolic agents.
🧩 Final Decision: Dbol or Anadrol?
- ✅ Choose Dianabol if you’re new, want strong bulking with fewer risks, and don’t need extreme size.
- ✅ Choose Anadrol if you’re advanced, chasing the fastest mass possible, and willing to manage harsher sides.
💡 Many bodybuilders prefer starting with Dbol and keeping Anadrol as a “shock” compound for future cycles.