Chemical Compound

Ligandrol

LGD-4033

Evidence TierCWADA PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

0.1-1.0 mg/day (healthy volunteers), 0.5-2.0 mg/day (hip-fracture study protocol)

watchEffect Window

Weeks to months, with phase-appropriate outcomes

lockCompliance

WADA PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Ligandrol (LGD-4033) is a selective androgen receptor modulator investigated for muscle wasting. It is used experimentally for lean mass and strength goals, with significant endocrine and safety concerns.

Early clinical research shows increases in lean body mass and some physical function measures, supporting investigation for sarcopenia and cachexia. Potential bone effects are biologically plausible but not well established in outcomes trials. Minority evidence explores metabolic changes with limited data. Risks include hormonal suppression and lipid changes, so benefit claims are constrained by safety tradeoffs.

Oral selective androgen receptor modulator with evidence for anabolic signaling effects on lean mass and concurrent androgen/lipid suppression in short trials.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Dose-dependent increase in lean body mass in short randomized and phase II rehab populations
  • Dose-related suppression of testosterone and lipid markers

Secondary Outcomes

  • Possible lean-mass improvements in functionally limited older adults
  • Hormonal/lipid perturbation and potential hepatic risks at higher doses

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Known endocrine or liver disease
  • Active malignancy

Side effects

  • Hormonal suppression
  • Lipid changes
  • Unknown long-term effects

Interactions

  • Androgenic compounds
  • Multiple hormonal agents
  • Unverified supplement blends

Avoid if

  • Active malignancy
  • Severe psychiatric disease
  • Active cardiovascular instability

Evidence

Study-level References

ligandrol-SRC-001Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose trial
Sourceopen_in_new

Basaria et al. 2013. The Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Effects of LGD-4033, a Novel Nonsteroidal Oral, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator, in Healthy Young Men. J Gerontol A. 68(1): 87-95. PMID: 22459616, PMCID: PMC4111291. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4111291/

Population: Healthy men, 21-50 years

Dose protocol: 0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mg/day for 21 days

Key findings: Lean body mass rose dose-dependently. No drug-related serious adverse events. Testosterone/FSH/SHBG/HDL/TG suppression in a dose-related pattern.

Notes: Prior single-dose phase I was reported to have shown safety up to 22 mg, but long-term safety and real-world outcomes remain limited.

Paper content

Lean body mass rose dose-dependently; no drug-related serious adverse events; testosterone/FSH/SHBG/HDL/TG suppression in a dose-related pattern.

ligandrol-SRC-002Agency anti-doping education guidance
Sourceopen_in_new

USADA. Top 5 Things to Know about LGD-4033. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. https: //www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/5-things-to-know-about-lgd-4033/

Population: Athletes and general users

Dose protocol: Not applicable

Key findings: Not FDA-approved for human use, prohibited under WADA S1.2 at all times, expected hormonal suppression, and elevated safety uncertainty.

Notes: Secondary source, useful for regulatory and risk framing rather than effect-size estimation.

Paper content

Not FDA-approved for human use, prohibited under WADA S1.2 at all times, expected hormonal suppression, and elevated safety uncertainty.

ligandrol-SRC-003Public safety communication / regulatory warning
Sourceopen_in_new

FDA Consumer Update. FDA Warns of Use of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Among Teens, Young Adults. https: //www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-warns-use-selective-androgen-receptor-modulators-sarms-among-teens-young-adults

Population: General public

Dose protocol: Not applicable

Key findings: FDA continues to receive adverse event reports. Life-threatening outcomes reported in SARM-associated cases including liver injury and cardiovascular events. SARMs cannot be legally sold as dietary ingredients.

Notes: Not a primary efficacy study but critical for risk governance.

Paper content

FDA continues to receive adverse event reports; life-threatening outcomes reported in SARM-associated cases including liver injury and cardiovascular events; SARMs cannot be legally sold as dietary ingredients.

ligandrol-SRC-004Corporate phase II trial status report
Sourceopen_in_new

BioCentury. Viking completes enrollment in Phase II hip fracture trial of VK5211. July 14, 2017. https: //www.biocentury.com/article/288071/viking-completes-enrollment-in-phase-ii-hip-fracture-trial-of-vk5211

Population: Adults ≥65 recovering from hip fracture

Dose protocol: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/day for 12 weeks, placebo-controlled

Key findings: 108 participants enrolled. Primary endpoint defined as change in lean body mass by DXA at week 12.

Notes: Enrollment and protocol summary only, not a full peer-reviewed efficacy report.

Paper content

108 participants enrolled; primary endpoint defined as change in lean body mass by DXA at week 12.

ligandrol-SRC-005Registered randomized clinical trial
Sourceopen_in_new

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02578095, A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel Group, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Study to Explore the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of VK5211 in Subjects With Acute Hip Fracture. https: //clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02578095

Population: Adults ≥65, recovering from hip fracture

Dose protocol: VK5211 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg daily for 12 weeks with placebo group included

Key findings: Trial framework confirms population, dosing arms, comparator, and primary endpoint. Registry indicates results posting activity.

Notes: Registry structure is robust. Interpretation depends on publicly posted result tables and sponsor release material.

Paper content

Trial framework confirms population, dosing arms, comparator, and primary endpoint; registry indicates results posting activity.

ligandrol-SRC-006Press release / conference results communication (sponsor disclosed)
Sourceopen_in_new

Biospace. Viking Therapeutics Presents Results from Phase 2 Study of VK5211 ... (ASBMR 2018). https: //www.biospace.com/viking-therapeutics-presents-results-from-phase-2-study-of-vk5211-in-patients-recovering-from-hip-fracture-in-plenary-oral-presentation-at-asbmr-2018-annual-meeting

Population: Patients recovering from hip fracture

Dose protocol: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/day for 12 weeks, randomized and placebo-controlled

Key findings: Reported dose-dependent LBM gains (placebo-adjusted ~4.8% to 9.1%), fat mass reductions, and no drug-related SAEs in reported material.

Notes: Non-peer-reviewed, company-authored signal data. Useful for hypothesis and monitoring but lower evidentiary weight than fully published trials.

Paper content

Reported dose-dependent LBM gains (placebo-adjusted ~4.8% to 9.1%), fat mass reductions, and no drug-related SAEs in reported material.

ligandrol-SRC-008Systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Sourceopen_in_new

Wen J, Syed B, Leapart J, et al. Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) Effects on Physical Performance: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2025;102(1):3-27. doi:10.1111/cen.15135. PMID:39285652.

Population: Participants from nine RCTs testing six different SARMs, mean age 57.1 years.

Dose protocol: Systematic review of 9 RCTs (n=970) testing 6 SARMs including LGD-4033, mean follow-up 80 days

Key findings: SARMs improved stair climbing power, leg press strength, SPPB, and lean body mass. Fat mass stable. Moderate mild adverse effects, low severe adverse events.

Notes: Broadest systematic evidence for SARM class efficacy in controlled trials. Confirms real anabolic effects with moderate safety profile in short term.

Paper content

This systematic review pooled nine RCTs (n=970) testing six different SARMs including LGD-4033 across a mean follow-up of 80 days. SARMs improved stair climbing power, leg press strength, Short Physical Performance Battery scores, and lean body mass. Fat mass remained stable. Adverse effects were generally mild at moderate rates, with low severe adverse event rates. The review provides the broadest systematic summary of SARM efficacy in controlled human trials to date. It confirms that SARMs as a class produce measurable improvements in physical performance and body composition in short-term studies, while noting that long-term safety data remain limited.

ligandrol-SRC-007Case report (severe adverse event)
Sourceopen_in_new

Barbara et al. 2020. Ligandrol (LGD-4033)-Induced Liver Injury. ACG Case Rep J. PMID: 32637435. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7304490/

Population: 32-year-old male self-user

Dose protocol: ~10 mg/day for approximately 2 weeks

Key findings: Cholestatic hepatitis with severe jaundice and bile duct-compatible changes. Drug causality favored by temporal relationship and improvement after discontinuation.

Notes: Case-level harm signal informs safety thresholds. Cannot establish incidence.

Paper content

Cholestatic hepatitis with severe jaundice and bile duct-compatible changes; drug causality favored by temporal relationship and improvement after discontinuation.

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