COMPOUND

Compounds / SARMs

LGD-4033

Ligandrol (VK5211)

SARMs Oral Not FDA approved

Nonsteroidal SARM originally discovered by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, now licensed to Viking Therapeutics (as VK5211) for muscle wasting after hip fracture. Most-studied SARM in bone fracture recovery: phase 2 hip fracture trial showed dose-dependent lean mass improvements: +4.8% (0.5mg), +7.2% (1mg), +9.1% (2mg). Elimination half-life is long (24-36h). At biohacker doses (5-10 mg/day = 5-100x clinical doses), HPTA suppression is severe and hepatotoxicity case reports exist.

At a glance

Half-life
~30 h 24-36h elimination half-life (Basaria 2013). Dose-proportional accumulation upon multiple dosing (steady state ~5 days).
Routes
Oral
Evidence base
3 studies 3 human

Mechanism

Tissue-selective AR agonist similar to RAD-140 but generally regarded as less androgenic and less suppressive at equivalent anabolic effect. Suppresses LH/FSH via hypothalamic-pituitary feedback. Cannot aromatize. Dose-dependent lean mass gain and LH/FSH suppression established in healthy men (21 days). Despite cleaner clinical profile at low doses, high biohacker doses produce cholestatic DILI: hepatocellular injury at 10 mg in a bodybuilder case; case report body composition outcomes.

Dosing

Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 3 of 3 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.

Where a study reports an amount, it appears in that study's entry below, attributed to the source.

Published evidence

  1. Human RCT 2013

    The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral SARM, in healthy young men

    Basaria S, Collins L, Dillon EL, et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

    n=76 healthy men 21-50 y/o, randomized to placebo/0.1/0.3/1.0 mg/day x 21 days. Dose-dependent suppression of total T, SHBG, HDL-C, triglycerides. FSH significant suppression at 1mg only. Lean body mass increased dose-dependently. No SAEs.

    PMID 22459616

  2. Human case report 2022

    LGD-4033 and MK-677 use impacts body composition, circulating biomarkers, and skeletal muscle androgenic hormone and receptor content - a case report

    Cardaci TD, et al. Experimental Physiology

    Detailed case report of LGD-4033 + MK-677 stack with hormone, body composition, and muscle biopsy data. Confirmed AR upregulation in muscle and HPTA suppression.

    DOI 10.1113/EP090741

  3. Human case report 2020

    Ligandrol (LGD-4033)-Induced Liver Injury

    Barbara M, Dhingra S, Mindikoglu AL ACG Case Reports Journal

    32-y/o male took 10 mg/day x 2 weeks. Presented with fatigue, pruritus, jaundice 50 days after start. Cholestatic hepatitis on biopsy with mild portal/periportal/perisinusoidal fibrosis. LFTs improving by day 22. Dose was 10-100x clinical trial doses.

    PMID 32637435

Reported side effects

HPTA suppression
Very common Serious · Dose-dependent. Even 1 mg/day for 21 days produced significant T/SHBG/HDL suppression (Basaria 2013). At 5-10 mg/day for 8 weeks, near-complete shutdown is common. Recovery 4-8 weeks for shorter cycles.
HDL cholesterol reduction
Very common Moderate · Dose-dependent reduction in HDL and triglycerides. Reverses on discontinuation.
Cholestatic drug-induced liver injury
Rare Serious · Documented case at biohacker dose (10 mg/day x 2 weeks): cholestatic hepatitis with bile plugs, mild fibrosis on biopsy (Barbara 2020, PMID 32637435). Resolved with discontinuation. Clinical phase 1 (1 mg/day x 21d) showed NO LFT abnormalities; DILI risk appears dose-dependent above clinical range.
SHBG suppression
Very common Mild · Reduces SHBG dose-dependently. Increases free testosterone fraction during cycle but masks recovery interpretation.
Headache
Occasional Mild · Most common adverse event in clinical trials, similar rate to placebo.
Mild hepatic enzyme elevation
Rare Mild · In clinical trials at sub-clinical doses (0.1-1 mg), no significant LFT changes. At biohacker doses (5+ mg/day), transient ALT/AST elevation common.

Interactions

  • MK-677 Synergy

    Common bodybuilder bulking stack. MK-677 increases water retention; LGD-4033 increases lean mass and HPTA suppression. Combined IR risk from MK-677 + lipid changes from LGD.

  • Anastrozole Redundant

    LGD-4033 cannot aromatize. AI is unnecessary on monotherapy and may worsen HDL reduction without benefit.

  • RAD-140 Redundant

    Both are AR agonists with overlapping mechanism. No additive benefit, additive risk: amplifies suppression and lipid changes without proportional anabolic gain.

Storage

Capsules room temp; liquid (PEG/ethanol vehicle) refrigerate after opening, protect from light. Third-party COA strongly recommended due to mislabeling in research-chemical market.